InsIde - The Thirty

Transcription

InsIde - The Thirty

The Best Holiday Dining on 30-A
Shopping, Art & More
Real Estate News
Local Events and 30-A Culture
John and Natalie Scanlan, owners of Bow Wow Meow, with their dog Buddy
serving south walton beach and the surrounding areas • volume 8 • number 6 • november/december 2013
Inside:
on the beach in Seaside, Florida
850.231.5900
Celebrate the wedding
of your dreams!
budandalleys.com
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850.231 .4781
budandalleys.com
L O C A L LY S O U R C E D E G G S , M I L K , C H E E S E , A N D V E G G I E S . G R E AT S O U T H E R N S E R V I C E .
83 Central Square, Seaside, FL · 850-231-7327 · www.thegreatsoutherncafe.com
GREAT SOUTHERN CAFé
seaside, fla.
Photography: C. Caillouet Photography
B R U N C H O N T H E P O R C H · 8 T O 11 A . M . S A T U R D A Y S , 8 A . M . T O 2 P. M . S U N D A Y S
850.231.3113
Authentic experiences
served fresh daily.
budandalleys.com
ANYTIME IS
FROYO TIME
16 FLAVORS. ENDLESS TOPPINGS.
PREPARE YOURSELVES.
10343 E. CO HWY 30-A
IN SEACREST BEACH
850.270.3036
ORANGELEAFYOGURT.COM
letter from the
publisher
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Miles K. Neiman
Managing Editor
PETS, PEOPLE, HOLIDAYS AND MORE
The holidays are an extra
special time on 30-A.
Not only does the beauty
of 30-A enter a new
dimension with the
seasonally cooler weather
and altered light from the
sky, but the festivities and
warmth of the holiday
spirit add an additional glow.
As always, this issue is packed with the people,
places and things that make 30-A and the
surrounding areas so wonderful. Whether it’s a
new restaurant that you haven’t tried yet, or some
amazing shopping with that special something for
that special someone, this issue is sure to please.
We have also dedicated this issue to locals and their
dogs. The canine family is celebrated on 30-A, as
is evident from their presence in restaurants and
retailers alike. Much akin to the practices of Paris
or Rome, dogs are welcome here. They are “one
Jennifer Thompson
Graphic Design
of us”. We hope this photo-editorial captures this
spirit of fondness to our four-legged friends. Ruff,
growls and salutations to your little furry friend,
wherever he or she may hail from.
Ellen Westing - Cover Design
Ellen Westing - Magazine Layout
Sharon Jollay - ads
We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have
enjoyed putting it together. Like you, we also
learn something new about our magical area every
time we create a new issue. The Thirty-A Review
is proud to have you, our readers, keep it alive
every month. Without you, we would not have an
audience. And without an audience, we could not
highlight and showcase our pride and joy… 30-A.
So thank you.
Cover Photography
Jacqueline Ward
Photography
Jacqueline Ward
As we enter into a new year, we wish you and your
family much success, happiness and lots and lots of
good beach life.
Contributing Writers
Taylor Arnold
Cheers,
Jessica Badour
Dr. Nitin Bawa
Susan Benton
Miles K. Neiman
Susan Cannizzaro
View the entire publication online at www.ThirtyAReview.com
Julie Herron Carson
Lauren Gall
Anna Ferguson Hall
The Thirty-A Review is published every other month by Thirty-A Review, LLC.
Reproductions in whole or in part, without expressed written permission of the
publisher, are strictly prohibited. The Thirty-A Review is not responsible for the
content or claims of any advertising or editorial in this publication. All information
is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. Copyright 2006.
Christina Homer
Ryan Loftis
Chris Ogle
Send inquiries to 227 Sandy Springs Place, Suite D-297, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.
Or call (404) 560-3677. Fax press releases to (404) 257-3008, however, emails are
preferred. Send e-mail to [email protected]
Amelia Pavlik
Bart Precourt
Anne Schultz
Kimberly Watson Sewell
Ridgeley Standard
Kempten Taylor
about the cover
Photographer: Jacqueline Ward
Models: John and Natalie Scanlan,
owners of Bow Wow Meow
with their dog Buddy
Go to www.ThirtyAReview.com
to view the entire publication online.
locals
and their
DOGS
Inside:
The Best Holiday Dining on 30-A
Shopping, Art & More
Real Estate News
Local Events and 30-A Culture
1 6 | t h e T h i r t y- A r e v i e w | n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3
serving south walton beach and the surrounding areas • volume 8 • number 6 • november/december 2013
Mary Welch
Susan Zieler Youngerman
Ad Sales:
Call 404.560.3677
Distribution Manager:
Warren Butler
contents
56
19 local theatre, dance, music, etc.
Showbiz and Events in November and December
40
44
20 dining
Another Broken Egg
Bud & Alley’s
24 farmer talk
Arrowhead Beef
26 goodwill
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
30 wellness
Arthritis
Remove Sun Damage
32 pets of 30-A
Bow Wow Meow
Katie’s Kids & K9s
Furry Fanatics
Dogs of 30-A
22
40 art & photography
Through the Lens of Jamie Conley
42 finances
Saving Enough for Your 90s
34
44 interiors
Smith’s Antiques Mall
46 real estate
Premiere Property Group
Bobby Johnson
50 local business
ORR Porsche
Klear Kanoo
54 legal eagles
Title Insurance
56 turf talk
Golf Holiday Shopping Guide
52
t h e T h i r t y- A r e v i e w | n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3 | 1 7
local theatre, dance, music, etc.
Showbiz and Events in November and December
Alys BEACH
Savor the Season benefiting
the Taylor Haugen Foundation
Caliza Pool, Wednesday,
November 6, 5:30-8:30pm
Enjoy wine tasting, delicious
night of art, games, and a movie
at the Community Center.
Snacks provided. Cost is $30
per child and open to children
ages 4 and up. Register by
calling (850) 424-5058.
ROSEMARY BEACH
WATERCOLOR
Flutterby Arts Festival
November 9 & 10 10 am to 4 pm
A place for kids to flitter and
adults to enjoy art, nature
& cuisine. Storytelling, live
music, butterfly wing making,
parade, carnival games and
more. Brought to you by the
Cultural Arts Alliance and The
Merchants of Rosemary Beach.
MountainFilm
November 1-3
We also have a great deal for
our vacation homes. Come stay
the weekend with the Buy one
night and receive the second
night for FREE.
http://www.watercolorvacationhomes.com/vacation-specials/
Cottages for Kids
November 9 - 30
Builders and architects team
up to create dream playhouses
to benefit Children’s Volunteer
Health Network!
www.cottagesforkids.org
30A 10K and Fun Run
November 28 7:30 am
South Barrett Sq.
www.30a10k.com
Flutterby Arts Festival in Rosemary Beach
cuisine by local area chefs, and
silent and live auctions. Visit
www.savortheseason2013.org for
additional information and to
purchase tickets.
Alys in Winter Wonderland
Fonville Press, Friday, November
29, 10am-noon
Join Santa for cookie decorating
and Holiday cheer! Cookies
to decorate will be available
for purchase at Fonville Press,
three cookies for $1. We’ll be
accepting unwrapped children’s
toys for donation to a local
Angel Tree Program.
Sunset Serenade
Fonville Press, Friday,
November 29, 4-6pm
Join us for cocktails, lite fare, and
live music by Chris Alvarado.
Parents’ Night Out with
Abrakadoodle,
Friday, November 29, 7-10pm
Friday, December 27, 7-10pm
Enjoy dinner out with the
grown-ups while the kids enjoy a
Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Seaside Repertory Theatre,
Saturday, November 30, 10am.
Three actors, in what starts out
as a pared-down version of the
Dickens classic, stage a mutiny
and, in an effort to breathe
new life into an old tradition,
attempt to tell “Every Christmas
Story Ever Told” in the space of
50 minutes. Nothing is spared
in this rollicking tour de farce!
The story of the stingy and sour
Ebenezer Scrooge is there too,
but it seems the actors have
overlooked “It’s a Wonderful
Life,” so Scrooge morphs into
Jimmy Stewart combining two
of the greatest Christmas stories
ever told.
Salute 2013
Tuesday, December 31, 11am-1pm
Salute 2013 before you ring
in the New Year! Join us for
cocktails, gourmet grilled cheese,
soup, and live music by Kyle
LaMonica.
Old Town Holiday
November 29 6 pm
South Barrett Sq.
Don’t miss the excitement as
we “turn on the town”! Enjoy
Charles Dickens Carolers, see
Santa’s big arrival and take a
carriage ride through town.
FREE
Breakfast with Santa
November 30 8 am - 10 am
Town Hall
Bring the kids to Santa’s
Workshop for a magical
morning filled with delight!
Included is a bagged breakfast,
a professional color photo with
Santa and a special gift from
Gigi’s. Tickets are available at
the door for $15.
Telluride Mt. Film on Tour at
WaterColor
November 1 & 2
Gates open at 6 p.m.
Films begin at 7 p.m.
Celebrate the 12th Annual Film
Festival at WaterColor Resort.
Two days of extraordinary
films created to inspire
courage, thought and empathy.
Adventure, Life Lessons and
Environmental Messages brand
this tour as an International
Thanksgiving at WaterColor
November 28
Join us for a Turkey Trot,
Thanksgiving Brunch at the
Lakehouse and Thanksgiving
Dinner at Fish Out of Water
November 29
Breakfast with Santa at Fish Out
of Water, movie in Marina Park
www.watercolorresort.com
Christmas at WaterColor
December 24 - 25
Christmas Eve Dinner at Fish
and Christmas Day Dinner at
Fish Out of Water
New Year’s Eve
December 31
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Fish
Out of Water
Mountain Film Festival in Watercolor
quest to encourage change
and education through
striking imagery and stories of
perseverance.
Price: Single Night - Adult $45/
Child $40, Weekend Pass Adult
$85/Child $70.
www.MountainFilmFL.com
New Year’s Day
January 1, 2014
Polar Bear Plunge on
WaterColor’s Beach
9 a.m.
SEASIDE
Go to www.seasidefl.com for a
calendar of events.
dining
Another Broken Egg
Not Your Typical Cafe
I
by
L a u r e n G a ll
f you are looking for a mouth-watering breakfast, a
delightfully delicious brunch, or a savory lunch…look
no further! Another Broken Egg Café offers all of the
above…and then some.
Winning the “Best Breakfast on the Emerald Coast”
for 13 years in a row, the café draws large crowds of
locals and tourists daily. Another Broken Egg Café is the
open by the end of 2013, taken deposits on another fifty
locations with expectations to double that inventory
within the next year, and we have recently announced
international expansion.”
Another Broken Egg Cafe boasts six locations
throughout the beautiful Emerald Coast region, including
Pensacola, Destin, Sandestin – On the Bay, Sandestin –
Village of Baytowne Wharf, Grayton
Cinnamon Roll French Toast
Beach, and Panama City Beach. Close
to the beaches and communities they
serve, the café locations offer great
appeal, as well as an exceptional
dining experience to local residents
and visitors to the region.
epitome of egg excellence. But if you think this
is just about traditional breakfast, think again.
The café features brunch and lunch items sure
to tantalize!
After moving to Mandeville, Louisiana
in 1992, President and Founder Ron Green
discovered that as a breakfast lover there was a
definite lack of quality restaurants for the early
day sector in the region. “I felt that if I could
create a snappy name and an innovative menu
with unique and upscale dishes, guests would
come. I also felt that a great price point coupled
with a vacation atmosphere in an old home
setting would be unusual enough for guests to
want to visit, always keeping in mind that service
was paramount as well,” shares Green.
The original Broken Egg opened in November 1996.
Following its success the first Another Broken Egg Café
opened August 1998 in Destin, Florida. “The name came
from one of our guests when she asked, ‘Will you please
open another Broken Egg in New Orleans,’” says Green.
“Seventeen years later, we’ll have over thirty locations
Eggs Benedict
blueberry quinoa, strawberries, blueberries, toasted
coconut crusted bananas; served with coconut milk and a
vanilla yogurt drizzle. And if you really want an authentic
Another Broken Egg Café dish, try the Southern
Crabstack, which consists of a jumbo lump crab cake,
stacked on a stuffing-like grit cake.” Green also remarks
that Another Broken Egg Café’s coffee is a proprietary
Rain Forest Alliance blend packaged under their very
own Barista Reserve label.
Though I must say that my personal favorite is
the Skinny Omelette, you can never go wrong with the
“egg-straordinary” Eggs Benedict…pure poached egg
perfection sitting atop the traditional English muffin,
grilled breakfast ham, green onions and some of the
most delicious hollandaise sauce
Southern Crab Stack
that I have ever tasted. And while
Another Broken Egg Cafe may
have mastered egg excellence, the
menu goes much further in what
the café has to offer. Try the BellaWich, a truly delicious sandwich
comprised of roasted portabella
mushrooms, red peppers, white
onion, fresh spinach, feta cheese
and roasted garlic aioli.
When asked about what
separates Another Broken Egg
Café from other eateries in this
area, Green responds, “We’ve
spent a tremendous amount of time developing six
special benedicts… creating dishes with crab, shrimp,
and crawfish. We also have some very unique burgers
with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, bacon,
and fresh basil. With our corporate chefs, we’ve
developed cutting edge items that will continue to set
us apart from your typical breakfast, brunch, and lunch
cafe, focusing on the health conscious side.”
To learn more about Another Broken Egg Café, visit
www.anotherbrokenegg.com or call one of the six
locations throughout the Emerald Coast. You can also
find them on Facebook.com/AnotherBrokenEgg.
When asked about some of the café’s signature
dishes, Green responds proudly, “Our ‘healthy side’ is
speaking loud and clear now. In the last year, our Skinny
Omelette; with herbed egg whites, blanched asparagus,
roasted red peppers, roasted garlic cloves, green onions
and goat cheese; has taken over one of our top spots.
The Granola, Fruit and Quinoa has been a huge hit as
well, composed of house made honey roasted granola,
Lauren Gall is the owner of l. gall & company, a
full service public relations, marketing and event
planning firm serving the Emerald Coast and beyond;
as well as a Partner in barber & gall promotions, an
event planning, fundraising, and corporate branding
company serving local, national and international
clients. She is also a freelance writer for various
publications throughout the Southeast U.S.
dining
Bud & Alley’s Celebrating 29 Years of Good Food,
Good People and Good Times in Seaside, Florida
by Susan Benton
F
or decades, the Florida Panhandle has been known
for its extraordinary white sand beaches, its Emerald
green Gulf waters, and since the early 80’s, Seaside;
a model town that introduced thoughtful urban planning,
not only to the South Walton community, but to the nation.
Located in the forefront at the heart of the new urbanism
community along the Gulf of Mexico’s edge is Bud &
Alley’s restaurant, embarking on its 29th anniversary.
Owner Dave Rauschkolb, a pioneer and continually
active participant in the community-building phase of
Seaside and Scenic 30-A says, “We supported each other
when in need, and that was smart business.” With those
thoughts, Rauschkolb helped found the Merchants of
Seaside, where businesses with a common thread came
together helping each other grow, and says, “There is
something to say about a business community that acts
as cheerleaders for its neighboring businesses.”
Today, Seaside and Scenic 30-A are known for their
growing number of quality eateries, with Rauschkolb
helping to set the bar of culinary standards high.
Rauschkolb says, “It is a rare opportunity,
honor and privilege to be in a position on
the ground floor of a budding community.
There were only five restaurants in the
area when we first opened and from the
beginning we made a conscious decision
to create amazing, locally sourced food
in an unpretentious setting. So many
great restaurants have followed over the
years and really made this area a culinary
destination to behold.”
Through the years Bud & Alley’s has
become a beloved place for family and
friends to come together, share a great
meal, and catch a sunset while ringing the
Crab cakes
iconic bell as it dips below the horizon.
As South Walton’s longest established
restaurant it goes without saying that the people who
work at Bud & Alley’s make it special. Rauschkolb says,
“A restaurant is not a one-man operation and I often get
more credit than I deserve. I am privileged to have an
amazing staff of wonderful, talented people working with
me. We have very low turnover and high staff loyalty.
Many have been with us a very long time, like server Paul
Ferguson (14 years), server Tommy O’Drain (14 years),
server Brent Sheffield (11 years), bartender Mo Mosley
(14 years), manager Grant Hill (11 years), and sous-chef
Derek Porter (15 years).”
General Manager Kirk Williams does an outstanding
job keeping the restaurant on course, while Chef Dave
Bishop is at the kitchen’s helm sharing his talent
and creating spectacular dishes in the comfortable,
casual fine dining atmosphere. Both oversee the
operations of sister restaurants Taco Bar and Pizza
Bar as well. Though the menu changes seasonally,
the most popular dishes remain the baked whole
fish with capers and lemon, barbeque shrimp
Shrimp with andouille sausage
with andouille sausage, and the plump, moist jumbo
lump crab cakes. It is no wonder that Bud & Alley’s
has garnered numerous awards, including Florida Trend
Magazine’s Golden Spoon Hall of Fame Award, an honor
reserved for only 30 Florida restaurants.
What’s Bud & Alley’s secret of success? Rauschkolb
says, “It is all about serving a consistent high quality of
food, showcased in the finest location for a restaurant I
know of anywhere, with genuine, attentive and caring
service. It is the DNA of Bud & Alley’s.” The motto from
the day Bud & Alley’s opened has been “Good Food,
Good People, Good Times”, and 29 years later it still
rings true.
Bud & Alley’s is located in Seaside, Florida at 2236
East Highway 30-A. For more information call (850)
231-5900, or email [email protected]. Visit their
website www.budandalleys.com to make reservations,
or to view the live webcam of Seaside beach and Bud
& Alley’s Rooftop Deck. Diners can choose to eat in the
restaurant’s main level dining room or porch area, the
Gulf-side herb garden courtyard or gazebo, or on the
open air Rooftop Deck.
Lunch is available from 11:30 am to 3 pm daily; dinner
is served 5:30 pm to 10 pm. The Rooftop Deck is open
from 11:30 am into the late night. In winter months
closing times may vary.
Susan Benton is the owner of 30AEATS.com where
she shares her passion for food and travel, and her
commitment to promoting local farmers, fishermen,
chefs, artisans and restaurants along the Gulf Coast.
CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO FOR 30 YEARS
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
Life .
Living .
PASSION FOR
PASSION FOR
BEGIN YOUR SEARCH HERE
LAFLORIDA.COM ~ 850.231.7896
DESTIN ~ SOUTH WALTON ~ 30A
F IN D
US ON
SM
farmer talk
Arrowhead Beef
by Susan Benton
sent to an industrial big meat company. This means the
cattle bypass feed lots, antibiotics, homogenization, and
the animal retains its identity. Authenticity of the meat
shines through. We are like a small craft brewery but
with cattle.”
The coveted cattle breed (pronounced Parthany)
are unique in that they adapt exceptionally well to the
native grass and forage diet found in the warm temperate
pastures of Northwest Florida. A French breed of cattle,
Parthenais are world renowned for yielding exceptionally
lean and tender beef, a cut above the rest.
Arrowhead Beef co-op growers adhere to the
standard definition of grass and forage fed cattle and will
back up their word with signed affidavits. This means
that the farmers use only the grass and forage as the feed
source consumed for the lifetime of the animal, with the
exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. Animals
cannot be fed grain or grain byproduct, and must have
continuous access to pasture during the growing season.
Pellizzetti says, “Selling to the green markets enable
us to do what we do. They have given our company life.
The mainstream consumers are on board and adopting
the grass fed mentality. Customers are tuned in. We now
have a strong consumer base. The power is coming back
to the people.”
Arrowhead Beef has health benefits as well, as Florida
grass-fed beef is lower in fat and calories, high in healthy
N
ot far from 30-A in the town of Chipley, Florida,
local George Fisher co-founded Arrowhead
Beef with Tom Pellizzetti in 2010. Fisher,
President of Live Cattle Operations, is a third generation
Florida cattleman and active in the Florida Cattleman’s
Association operating G&S Farms, along with his wife
Stacey. Pellizzetti, President of Customer Development
at Arrowhead Beef, has a diverse background, with lead
innovation marketing for Tyson foods, as well as sales
for Nestle Purina and for Schreiber Foods. Pellizzetti’s
former University of Florida animal science professor
Dwayne Johnson introduced Pellizzetti and Fisher; and
together the pair envisioned a return to an era of simple,
nutritious, and locally grown foods. “Our vision is to
take folks back to the times of regionally produced food.
When your mom knew the butcher and the butcher knew
the farmer,” says Pellizzetti.
They moved forward with Arrowhead Beef,
LLC. Pellizzetti says, “There is a growing awareness in
mainstream food culture about how animals are raised and
the nutritional aspects of grass-fed beef. There is something
special about a locally grown farm-direct product.”
Our vision is to take folks back to the times of
regionally produced food. When your mom knew
the butcher and the butcher knew the farmer
The company is a cooperative of family farms, local
processors, and sales representatives known as Market
Ambassadors selling to Floridians. Tony DeBlauw is the
Market Ambassador for the Seaside Farmers Market
location in Seaside, Florida on Saturday mornings, and
the 30-A Farmers Market location in Rosemary Beach on
Sunday mornings.
Arrowhead Beef takes pride in featuring its
Parthenais and Parthenais-influenced cattle that are raised
in what has been trademarked as “herd-life harmony.”
The cattle are never sent to feed lots or to industrial beef
production, and all processing and aging is performed
in small batches along with portioning and retail cuts.
Pellizzetti says, “Herd-life harmony is our promise that
the cattle you’re supporting are kept on the land and not
Omega 3 fatty acids, and richer in antioxidants than
commercially produced beef. There are no hormones
or antibiotics, and the steaks are “wet aged” for 28
days, making them consistently tender. The company
has updated their website and offers an assortment of
flash-frozen ground beef, steak, kabob meats, and roasts
shipped directly to your home. Pellizzetti says, “Not only
is our beef healthier for you and more nutritious, it tastes
better! You can feel good about eating something closer to
the land.”
Arrowhead Beef, LLC is located at 982 Hutchins Lane
in Chipley, Florida. You can reach them by phone at
(954) 428- 4525 or by email [email protected].
Visit their website to learn more about Arrowhead Beef,
find a market locater, or to order grass-fed beef.
goodwill
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
by
M
any of us have raised a glass to toast our good
fortune at finding ourselves along Florida’s
beautiful Emerald Coast. Nearly a decade ago, a
group of generous wine-lovers decided that as they raised
their glasses, they would also raise funds to support the
area’s needy children. With the pop of a cork, the Destin
Charity Wine Auction Foundation (www.dcwaf.org)
was born, and since its inception in 2005, the popular
event has donated more than $6 million to Northwest
Florida charities through presenting world-class wine and
culinary events and activities.
“For all of us associated with Destin Charity Wine
Auction Foundation, the distribution of funds to the
organizations that help children is the best day of the
year,” says John Russell, president of DCWA. “We’re
grateful for all of the support that has made these grants
possible and helped impact the lives of over 50,000 youth,
including those afflicted by health issues and abuse.”
In 2006, Chan Cox, owner of Wine World and
founder of the Sandestin Wine Festival, gathered a
group of civic-minded friends and wine lovers together
for the new organization’s premier wine auction. They
raised $80,000 the first year. As the event grew, so did
the resulting charity donation. The recent 2013 DCWA
brought in a total of $1,323,000, a 16 percent over last
year’s results.
The event also has grown
in scope and prestige. It now
includes both live and silent
auctions of rare wines and
exclusive wine-themed trips.
Celebrity chefs and renowned
vintners participate in a
popular component -- a series
of dinners held in local private
homes and restaurants.
This year, the DCWA’s
success necessitated a move
from its previous home at the
Sandestin Golf and Beach
Resort to Grand Boulevard
at Sandestin, where it was held in conjunction with the
South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. Patrons
were treated to over 150 live unique live and silent
auction offerings, including fine jewelry, rare wine and
luxurious vacations. The two auction lots which inspired
the largest bids were a trip for eight that included a VIP
lunch and wine dinner aboard The World, the planet’s
largest privately-owned yacht; and a trip for six to the
Grand Isle Resort & Spa in Great Exuma, Bahamas.
Participating wineries included Caymus Vineyards,
Pride Mountain Vineyards, Paul Hobbs Winery, Merry
Julie Herron Carson
Edwards Winery, Dunn Vineyards, Jarvis Estate Winery,
Robert Craig Winery, Spring Mountain Vineyard, Joseph
Phelps Vineyards, Chateau de Beaucastel, DeLille Cellars,
Domaine Champy, Domaine Clos de la Chapelle,
Duckhorn Portfolio, Hourglass, Husic Vineyards, Krutz
Family Cellars, Willamette Valley Vineyards, V Madrone
Cellars, Schweiger Vineyards, and Betz Family Winery.
Center, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center,
Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Food for Thought,
Horizons, Opportunity Inc., Pathways for Change,
Sacred Heart Foundation, Shelter House of Northwest
Florida, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, and
Youth Village.
“The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is
supported by a wide range of businesses and individuals
who graciously and generously give
freely to make our mission possible,”
says DCWA Past Chairman Jane
Solomon. “We are humbled by the
contributions of wine makers who
give of their time and product, of
chefs who leave their own kitchens
and businesses to come here to feed
us, of patron dinner hosts who open
their homes to provide a world-class
wine and culinary experience for
friends and strangers alike, and of
local businesses that provide funds,
services or products so that we can
operate as efficiently as possible.”
The 2012 auction was the
first DCWA to be listed in the
“Top Ten Charity Wine Auctions
For all of us associated with Destin
Charity Wine Auction Foundation,
the distribution of funds to the
organizations that help children
is the best day of the year.
“We are extremely grateful for the tremendous
support we once again received from vintners, chefs and
the local community,” says Russell. “We are especially
pleased with this year’s results, because this was our first
year in our new location. The success of the South Walton
Beaches Wine and Food Festival and the DCWA set the
stage for even stronger performances in the coming years.”
Funds raised from the 2013 event were distributed
to the following local organizations: Boys & Girls Clubs
of the Emerald Coast, Children in Crisis, Children’s
Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Autism
in the U.S.” by Wine Spectator Magazine, and with 2013
revenues exceeding last year’s, the honor is sure to be
repeated. Plans are already well underway for next year’s
Destin Charity Wine Auction Weekend, April 25-27,
2014, at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. Let’s all raise a
glass to this outstanding event and to the generous people
who make it possible for the benefit of children in need.
For more information, visit www.dcwaf.org.
wellness
If You Have Arthritis – Read This!
by
D
o your joints hurt? Is it painful to get out of bed?
If you have ever gone to the traditional doctor
with these symptoms then there is a good chance
that you have been given the label or diagnosis of arthritis.
Just the other day I was at my second office (coffee
shop) and a young stocky man asked me if there was
anything I could do to help his
arthritis. He explained that all
the men in the family have it and
now he does too. The tone in
which he told me was implying
that it was unavoidable and that
it just happened to him.
Surprisingly nearly 1 in 3
people (way too many) in the
U.S. have been diagnosed with
arthritis. Many health experts
agree that arthritis is the most
over diagnosed condition in our
country and has become the “go
to” diagnosis for doctors who see
patients with joint pain. Many
suspect its because it is easier to
just label and treat it with meds
then it would be to educate about
lifestyle, the causes, and alternative
healthy treatment options.
Arthritis means that you
have inflammation of your joints.
“Arth” - means joint and “itis” means inflammation. It is often
referred to as osteoarthritis or
Bart Precourt
OA. The reality is many people
do have painful and inflamed
joints, yet there is hope!
Good news about arthritis:
Arthritis (OA) is NOT hereditary or catchable. Although
family members may have it, it is not carried in our genes.
What is important to recognize is that there are some
hereditary habits like posture and eating that are passed
on from our parents. If we mimic these poor habits than
we can expect to endure what our parents do. Be smart
and pro-active, recognize the physical and nutritional
habits they have and be sure to modify yours as needed.
Better said: “Stand with better posture and eat better than
they do”.
Primary causes
1.Lifestyle. Your habits regarding diet and physical
activity will be big time predictors of being
Dr. Bart Precourt
diagnosed with arthritis. Being overweight
puts excess pressure on joints, causing joints to
degenerate and inflame over time. Inactivity can
also contribute to your joint pains. Your body
was not meant to always be still; i.e.; sitting in
a chair. The joints need lubrication so you must
between your joints is made primarily of water and
needs to stay hydrated to be healthy. Poor diet, a
lack of water, and being overweight put a constant
strain on the tendons and cartilage, creating an
inflamed joint; i.e.; arthritis. It’s a process that
takes place over time. Think of treating it as a
process as well. The good news is
that treatment can be simple and
effective. Start by staying well
hydrated. Choose to move your
body in as many ways possible
every day. Walking, swimming,
and riding a bike are good places
to start. Nutritionally eat as clean
as you can; avoid sugars and
processed foods (did I mention
that yet?).
Natural treatment
options:
Combining essential fatty acids
(fish oils) with glucosamine is one
of the best formulas I’ve offered
for patients with symptoms of arthritis. Chiropractic adjustments,
massage, and yoga have all shown
to been effective therapies as well.
For patients who have access to
one, I also recommend using an
infrared sauna 30 minutes a day 3
times a week.
Disclaimer:
move all of your joints in ALL ranges of motion
daily. If you don’t move it you lose it; “it” being
joint mobility and range of motion. Yoga may be
the best full body answer to combat arthritis and
increase mobility. Although rarely discussed diet
may play even a bigger role. Diet may also provide
the easiest fix to symptoms of arthritis pain. By
reducing sugars, toxins, and processed foods you
will reduce the amount of inflammation in the
joints. Feeling better can happen within days!
2.Old injuries. This is what you feel when the
weather changes. Most old injuries have increased
scar tissue, which makes it harder for the joints to
get lubricated, leading to inflammation.
Your pain comes from the cartilage and
tendons surrounding your joints. The cartilage
Here’s where I need to tell you to consult with your
doctor for any health care needs. Also, these are my views
on this topic; they are not designed as a treatment or
diagnosis. It is my intent to educate, inspire, and maybe
even provoke you to take action for your own health. Be
wise and be healthy!
Dr. Bart M. Precourt is a Doctor of Chiropractic,
acupuncturist and nutritional consultant. For nearly
20 years he has helped people get healthy, lose weight
and create healthy sustainable lifestyles. To learn more
or ask a question directly to Dr. Bart go to bartprecourt.
com. He currently practices in Seagrove Beach, Fl at
Balance Health Studio, www.balance30a.com.
wellness
Remove Sun Damage
by
D r . N i t i n B awa
Dr. Nitin Bawa
Lasers are an excellent way to improve
quality of skin and eliminate sun damage.
Some lasers cause peeling skin and
redness and some do not. We are one of
the only providers in the area that offer
both options because we understand that
some people cannot take time off work
and cannot afford to have peeling skin.
T
he summer is over and now is the time to get rid
of sun damage, as most treatments require sun
avoidance. Here is an explanation of how the sun
damages our skin and what can be done to ameliorate this.
Sun exposure causes damage to our skin in multiple
different ways. UVA rays penetrate deeply and cause
aging because they damage collagen, while UVB rays are
the ones that cause burns on the surface of skin. The sun
irritates melanocytes that produce pigment and people
get uneven skin pigmentation. UV rays also reduce levels
of vitamin C on the surface of skin, which is necessary
for skin remodeling. Taking vitamin C orally does not
improve levels on the surface of the skin, but using
Vitamin C topically in addition to a sunscreen has been
shown to prevent skin damage.
Lasers are an excellent way to improve quality of skin
and eliminate sun damage. Some lasers cause peeling skin
and redness and some do not. We are one of the only
providers in the area that offer both options because we
understand that some people cannot take time off work
and cannot afford to have peeling skin. Other people need
big results so we also have options that work for people
who have severely damaged skin.
Limelight
Limelight is a treatment that reduces or removes
sunspots without causing any peeling skin. For example, a
patient had sunspots on her face due to which she always
had to use a large amount of makeup. She had limelight
done and dark areas turned darker
for a few days and then peeled off.
Limelight is inexpensive at only $350
a treatment although some people
need more than one treatment.
Pearl
Pearl is a stronger laser that
does cause a week of peeling skin
and redness but the results are much
greater. For people who have deep
wrinkles and laxity, this is a stronger
option with an added benefit in that
it reduces uneven pigmentation.
Sun exposure thins the skin
and veins become more easily
visible. Chronic inflammation in
the skin causes blood vessels to be
produced also making blood vessels more prominent.
Lasers can be used to remove veins and the laser targets
the blood vessels and shuts down the veins instantly.
Laxity of the skin also results in deep smile lines.
Fillers are used to fill in these deep lines resulting in
instant improvement in appearance. Many people have
scars from different cuts and scratches and fillers can fill
in those. We had a patient with a deep scar that she lived
with her whole life but with some fillers and a unique
technique that frees up adhesions from below the skin,
her scar is completely gone!y
Dr. Bawa is a Board Certified Internal Medicine
Physician who also has a special interest in weight
loss, bio-identical hormones, lasers and aesthetics. He
has an office in Destin and Seagrove Beach and can be
reached at (850) 534-4170.
Pets of 30-A
This issue is dedicated to honoring the pets of
30-A. The following pages represent an homage to
our canine friends along 30-A. We salute our furry
friends who make beach life even more wonderful.
Bow Wow, Ruff Ruff and all that good stuff.
Buddy
pets of 30-A
Bow Wow Meow
by Jessica Badour
A
s Bow Wow Meow Pet Company
John & Natalie Scalan with Buddy
approaches its third anniversary
on 30-A, owner John Scanlan is
amazed by how much his neighborhood
pet shop has grown in such a short
timeframe.
“Every year our inventory and client
base grows – more than I ever thought
it would,” he says. “We’re finding new
customers on a regular basis. People are
both surprised and happy to be able to
find their pet’s products locally.”
Prior to the store’s opening, pet
owners only had options in Destin or
Panama City. But once the Scanlans
made the move to 30-A homeowners,
Bow Wow Meow Pet Company went
from an idea to reality when the shop
broke ground in 2010.
“We wanted to give the community
another choice for pet supplies,” Scanlan
says. “I’m always on the floor to answer
questions and the store is consistently
open seven days a week.”
The holistic shop offers dog and cat
foods and treats, including newly added
raw products. Roughly half the inventory
fulfills 30-A clientele requests, with a
few short orders as needed (“as long as
it’s holistic, we’re good at providing it,”
he says). The options are top of the line,
but Scanlan makes a conscious effort to
keep prices affordable – in some cases,
even less than corporate store prices.
“Having worked in restaurants,
I’ve always eaten well,” he says with a
laugh. “But I don’t just want to give
myself good products – I also want to
shop at a good place for my dog and
feed him quality food.”
Locals and summer residents can
appreciate easy access to pet products
without having to drive a long distance.
Scanlan even makes occasional food deliveries to nearby the perfect guinea pig (well, dog) to test new products:
customers and keeps running tabs for regulars when The Scanlan family’s very own Buddy, a rescue pup they
they’re out of town and have dog sitters who might drop adopted.
in for items. For vacationers, the necessity to cart along “The theme for all our products is: ‘Holistic,
a pet’s laundry list of items is now a thing of the past. ecofriendly and unique,’” Scanlon says. “I try to carry items
Bow Wow Meow began offering crate rentals in March that are a little outside the box, for the pet aficionados.”
as a result of more properties becoming pet friendly, and The shop also offers two private self-washing
there are dog and cat beds, collars, leashes, toys – even stations. Bow Wow Meow provides all the necessary
rarities such as dog lifejackets and wetsuits. The store has
requirements and handles the cleanup
(because what’s better than a clean dog
at the end of that perfect beach day)?
“The self-washing – once we
started explaining what it was – has
really taken off,” Scanlan says. “People
love that it’s easy, roomy, and doesn’t
require any clean up. And at $18/large
or $14/small with the sixth wash free,
people find it affordable too.”
A relatively new business owner
on 30-A, Scanlan wasn’t sure how yearround business would be. As it turns
out, 30-A’s off season is becoming
anything but, and Scanlan sees business
becoming steadier. He’s considering an
expansion in 2014 to hold the shop’s
ever-growing inventory of products.
Next year could also bring the shop
part-time help, giving Scanlan the
opportunity to enjoy some occasional
beach time. In the meantime, he’s
perfectly content to work every day.
“It’s never a chore, I’m always
excited and come in early,” he says. “I
often ride my bike to work and on the
cycle home, I’m watching the sun set.
It’s such a good feeling working for
myself, and I’m riding home and it’s
breathtaking – I can’t believe I actually
live here! When I get home, I see our
neighbors and we all say hi. It’s a nice,
warm lifestyle… We’ve been blessed
here and we welcome people to the
Emerald Coast.”
Scanlan has also made it a point
to get involved with local charitable
organizations and is currently hosting
a raffle through December for a
glamorous, one-of-a-kind beach dog
house, built by a local architect and
donated for the raffle (find details on
the shop’s Facebook page).
“I want to help smaller rescue groups in the area and
bring awareness to them,” he says. “I’m a small business
too; we all look out for each other.”
Bow Wow Meow Pet Company is located in Suite 3 at 4935
E. Co. Hwy. 30A, Seagrove Beach. Hours are 10 am to 7
pm, Mon-Sat; 11 am to 3 pm, Sun. Reach the store at (850)
534-0009, email [email protected], or
like them on Facebook.
pets(& kids) of 30-A
Katie’s Kids & K9s
by Christina Homer
Katie Thompson Aull with Walter (L) & Bacon Bits (R)
K
atie Thompson Aull, of Katie’s Kids and K9s in
Santa Rosa Beach, is a firm believer that nothing
beats doing what you love and only having to
answer to your clients; and she does just that.
Aull babysat and pet sat as second and third jobs for a
few years until she had enough clients to do it fulltime in
2008 and conceive her own business. “A former employer
once said that I was always watching things with two legs
and four legs, so why not make a business out of it?” Aull
explains.
She still stays busy enough to babysit and pet sit
fulltime. She is very flexible in her work, as she doesn’t
the few people whom her baby
Simona can be content with.
30-A is a great place to call “Babies know best,” Douangdara
“You’re a keeper!”
home,” she says. “There is says.
Her younger clients show
same sentiment. “You are a
a lot to smile and be happy the
great babysitter. Thank you for
us to get ice cream. Yum.
about here, and I don’t see taking
Also, thank you for the unicorn
dream-light. It really helps us
that changing anytime soon.
get to sleep,” one of her kids,
Ainsley, wrote Aull in a heartfelt,
handwritten note.
Aull pet sits primarily canines, (hence the K9s in her
business name), but does not limit her pet clients. She
also cares for cats, parrots, fish, and rabbits. “I even have a
bearded dragon client named Steve!” Aull exclaims. “Steve
eats mealworms and gets misted with a spray bottle on a
daily basis. He loves both equally.”
While Katie’s Kids and K9s serves a mixed clientele
of both locals and tourists, Aull says much of her
recent business has been resulting from college friends
vacationing in the area with their children. “What I enjoy
most about my job is giving people the reassurance that
their children and/or pets will be treated as if they are my
own while they are gone,” Katie says.
Although Aull stays busy pet sitting others’ pets,
she and her husband have been volunteering at Alaqua
Animal Refuge since 2010, and makes time for her own
furbabies: Bacon Bits – a mix of 5 breeds – from Alaqua,
Simona
and Walter, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
“Walter’s favorite thing to do is prance around
believe in having set hours. “I
Seaside and Rosemary, and have people pet him and tell
have 24/7 availability,” she says,
him how pretty he is,” Aull says. “Bacon Bits reminds
“and additionally serve the areas of
me of a cat and is more selective with the company he
Sandestin, 30-A, and Inlet Beach.”
keeps. Or maybe he is embarrassed about his six toes
Aull
babysits
children
and tries to keep a low profile. Either way, both dogs
anywhere from infant age to 12
bring a significant amount of joy and entertainment
years old. She enjoys doing art
into my life.”
projects with them, going to local
Aull resided all over the U.S. before settling in Santa
parks, and taking them to the beach. “Hammock Bay in
Rosa Beach. Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, she
Freeport has an amazing park,” Aull says. “Helen McCall
then went to Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and
Park and even Pier Park are enjoyable, too.” She points
later lived in Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Alabama.
out she always advises the kids to “only apply sunscreen
But Aull is here to stay in 30-A for a while.
on the skin they want to keep.”
“30-A is a great place to call home,” she says. “There
Aull is inspired by the simplest, most everyday
is a lot to smile and be happy about here, and I don’t see
household items to formulate arts and crafts projects for
that changing anytime soon.”
the kids. “We get creative with whatever we can find in
the house,” Aull says. “A Pringles can and some glue can
Katie’s Kids and K9s can be found on Facebook, and
go a long way!”
Aull can additionally be reached at (850) 797-0190 or
One of Aull’s clients, Sam Douangdara, commented
via E-mail at [email protected].
on Katie’s Kids and K9s Facebook page that Aull is one of
pets of 30-A
Furry Fanatics
by R i d g e l ey S ta n d a rd
A
s any animal lover
can attest, pets truly
do become a member
of the family. And any pet
owner can also attest that
their pets deserve the best
care available to ensure their
happiness in exchange for
such unconditional love. Tim
and Julie Brown, owners of
Furry Fanatics and themselves
avid pet enthusiasts, have
made superior pet care their
life’s work.
Located in Santa Rosa
Beach, Furry Fanatics is a pet
supply company that offers a
complete and unique selection
of all natural pet foods and Gourmet
Dog Treats
treats. “Our mission is to
educate people on the health
of their pets; to teach them that
a proper diet is as important to your
pet’s health as it is to yours. We want
to provide them with what they need
so they can keep them healthy and
happy and around as long as possible,”
explains Julie Brown.
Since opening in 2010 Furry
Fanatics has been dedicated to
helping customers achieve better
health options for their pets and
are committed providing the best
in quality and highly nutritional
products at affordable prices. “The
store that we bought our pet products
from decided to close and we knew
there were no other good options
for top-quality products along 30-A.
So we felt it was the perfect time to
introduce the types of products and Specialty Foods
services we liked to the area. It was
such a great fit because 30-A is such a
dog friendly community and Gulf Place seemed like the
perfect spot with all it had to offer. Multiple restaurants
have dog friendly patios and greens for activities and play,
as well as great walking paths for exercise. We knew our
concept would fit right in.”
In addition to nutritional needs, Furry Fanatics offers
a wide range of supplies and novelties for dogs and cats.
“Not only do we provide healthy, all natural food and
treats for your dog and cat, but we also sell toys, collars,
Canine Couture
leashes, harnesses, beds,
clothes, Dogs of 30A items, 30A Gear collars
etc. We are the exclusive
retailer for 30A dog gear,”
continues Brown. “We are always looking for safe, healthy
products, durable toys, and stylish accessories.”
Since opening their doors, the Browns have evolved
the business into a one-stop shop for pet care. “We’ve
created a true pet center,” says Tim Brown. “We offer full
service grooming with Dapper Dogs Grooming inside
our store and we have just had Dr. Tonia Shatzel and 30-A
Vet join right next door. We feel we have created a great
little pet paradise. We have a vet to keep them healthy, a
groomer to keep them beautiful, and Furry Fanatics to
provide the nutrition and toys to keep them happy.”
In addition, after numerous requests from customers,
the Browns have launched an on-line retail store. “Now
people can shop with Furry Fanatics from anywhere. We
are amazed by how quickly and completely Furry Fanatics
was embraced by the community and that it has grown as
quickly as it has.”
Future goals are simple. “We just always want to learn
more. We want to learn as much as we can in order to
provide the most beneficial advice and products to benefit
our pets. We want to educate people to understand that
diet really does make a difference in your animal. From
his coat to his teeth to his disposition, the right nutrition
really does matter.”
While infinitely pleased by their growth and success,
the
Browns
maintain
that the best part of their
business is the customers,
both two and four-legged.
“It’s not a typical retail
business in the sense that
there are few headaches.
Ninety-nine percent of
what we deal with are happy
proud people coming in,
sharing photos of their pet,
and looking for something
to make their fur baby even
happier! Pets become such
a huge part of a family and
with the unconditional love
they provide, it leaves the
owners feeling that they just
want to do whatever they
can to keep them around
forever and make them
happy. We get to be a part
of that happiness every day.
That’s pretty special.”
Furry Fanatics is located
at 56 Spire Lane Unit 12A
in Santa Rosa Beach. They can be reached at (850)
278-6902, online at www.furry-fanatics.com, or via
Facebook.
dogs of 30-A
On the following two pages, we have featured some local
“celebrities” with their 4 legged family members. You are
KellI & bart precourt
with Mr. Biggs and Stanley
sure to see them in person as you frequent the various
communities where they call home, up and down 30-A.
Photos by Jacqueline Ward
ANGELA & MIKE
RAGSDALE
with Cosmo and Dudley
Nikki Nickerson &
JENNIFER GREEN
with Gracie and Billzey
dogs of 30-A
Harriet
Crommelin
with Livvie
Jan & Steve stevens
with Tater
Jacqueline
Ward
with Flip and Dan
art & photography
Through the Lens of Jamie Conley
b y K e m p t e n Ta y l o r
Inlet Pier
Morning Mist
S
he slows down, checks the rearview and comes to a
stop to see the day’s conditions of the Coastal Dune
Lake as she passes by on her daily drive to the office.
“You just never know what dramatic setting Mother
Nature has in store each day,” says 30-A photographer
Jamie Conley. Living and working on 30-A makes finding
a setting to snap photos seem simple. The natural beauty
and architecture of the area create a perfect backdrop for
outstanding photography and Conley seizes the day, every
day, as she continues to add to her collection of images
and improve her craft.
Conley grew up in the mountains of southern
Virginia, near the Tennessee-Kentucky border, and
then moved to Northern California with her husband
Will. Will Conley was a Navy
Diver and was transferred to
the Naval Diving & Training
Center in Panama City Beach
in 1993; and in 1995 the
family built their home in Inlet
Beach where they decided to
put down permanent roots.
“We figured if we stay here,
when our children were grown
they would always want to
come home…to the beach,”
says Conley. So far that plan
has panned out in her favor
and beach life has brought on
new passions and interests.
By day, Conley acts as
the “office mom” for Davis
Properties of NW Florida. She
has worked with the company
for 15 years and over the
Scrub Oaks Amid the Dunes
years has worn the hats of bookkeeper, agent
support, and marketing and advertising,
among other things. She attributes one of her
latest roles to having the largest impact on her
professional life: photography. Just over five
years ago Conley began taking photographs for
marketing and advertising purposes for Davis
Properties. She quickly went from novice to
skilled photographer and was asked by the
company to shoot not only their properties
but scenes of 30-A for the office walls. “It has
turned into one of the most exciting, satisfying
and fun things I’ve ever done; and I get paid
for it,” says Conley.
Conley started out with a simple Kodak digital
camera and has since upgraded to a Canon camera with
a wide-angle lens. By nature Conley is a determined
individual and believes that making up your mind to do
something is 90 percent of the accomplishment. ”I’ve had
no formal photography training, though I own a stack
of books on the subject; I read everything I can get my
hands on relating to techniques for shooting photographs
in different settings and light and I subscribe to several
online photography tutorials and blogs.”
Her upbeat personality loves the challenge that lies
in capturing picture-perfect images. “God has blessed us
with so much incredible beauty in life, especially here
at the beach,” says Conley. Sunlight or shadows can
transform or highlight a doorway, window, wall or treecanopied lane so dramatically that Conley rarely leaves
home without her camera in tow. A friend and local
photographer gave her the advice to “always have her
camera with her” when she first started in photography
and she claims it was the best advice she’s ever received.
About a year and a half ago, Davis Properties relocated
their office to a new building in
Seagrove. The company’s owner, Larry
Davis and his wife Melissa, asked
Conley if she would display some
of her black and white photography
in the new space. One thing led to
another and agents began purchasing
her work to give to their clients. “I’m
incredibly blessed to have family,
friends, and co-workers who believe
in what I’m doing and continue to
support and encourage me in my new
found passion,” says Conley.
Conley now sells fine art
quality, gallery wrapped, canvas
images through her new business,
JConely Images. The photographs
include local landscapes of beaches,
Jamie Conley
Coastal Dune Lakes, the architecture
of 30-A’s eclectic beach towns and
other magnificent settings found
throughout South Walton County.
To check out Jamie Conley’s
photography, visit her website at
www.jconleyimages.com. To see it in
person, stop by the Davis Properties
office located at 4130 E County
Scenic Hwy 30A in Seagrove.
Keeping Tails Wagging On 30A!
For All Your Pets’ Needs... Including The Best In
All Natural Pet Foods, Pet Supplies, Grooming and Vet Services!
Visit Us at 56 Spires Lane in Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
850-278-6902 furry-fanatics.com
finance
Saving Enough for Your 90s
by Chris Ogle
T
“
hanks to a range of factors — including medical
advances, healthier eating habits and better fitness
— Americans are living longer lives. Life expectancy
in the U.S. recently hit a record 78.7 years,1 and the
number of Americans living past age 90 has nearly tripled
during the last 30 years.2 But while living well into our
90s is a dream for many of us, the possibility of outliving
our savings serves as an eye-opener.
Chris J. Ogle
“It’s a universal concern: No matter how much you
have accumulated, everybody is worried about making
their money last through retirement,” says Donna Peterson,
Senior Vice President in Retail Retirement at Wells Fargo.
A recent survey found that more than half of baby boomers
fear outliving their savings more than they do dying.3
Fortunately, making a few changes to your financial
situation now can help increase the chance that your savings
will last your lifetime — no matter how long it spans.
Create ongoing income. Peterson suggests aiming
to replace 80 percent to 100 percent of your working
income in retirement, but she admits that will vary with
time. “Early in retirement, while you’re young and active,
you may need to replace 110 percent of what you earned,”
she says. “As you age and become more
sedentary, your costs may go down.”
Aim to keep growing. On the
cusp of retirement, some investors may
be content to shift their funds from
stocks into certificates of deposit or other
conservative investments in order to
protect all they’ve saved in their nest egg.
But that may be a mistake.
Since retirement can last several
decades, you’ll likely need to harness
the growth potential of stocks to keep
inflation from eroding your savings.
Although they come with increased risk,
stocks offer better potential for long-term
growth than bonds and cash investments.
Your Financial Advisor can help you
find a mix of stocks, bonds and cash
investments that offers an appropriate
balance of risk and return potential.
Plan for long-term care. As you
age, you’re more likely to sustain an
injury or develop an illness that requires
long-term care. But that care — whether
in a nursing home or through an inhome health provider — can be very
expensive. The national median cost of
a single year in a private nursing home
is now $87,235, according to insurer
MetLife.4 One strategy to these potential
medical costs is long-term care (LTC)
insurance, which is designed to cover
expenses if you become physically or
cognitively impaired.
If you opt for LTC insurance,
Peterson suggests buying your policy
when you’re in your 50s. Reason: Your
premiums are likely to be more affordable than if you
purchase a policy later.
Consider keeping a paycheck. A simple way to stretch
your retirement savings is to work longer. Economists
Alicia H. Munnell and Steven Sass from the Center for
Retirement Research at Boston College note that delaying
retirement by just three to four years — from 62 to 66, for
instance — may boost your retirement income by a third.5
Working longer can help by:
• Boosting your monthly Social Security benefits
(by waiting at least until you are eligible to claim
full benefits)
• Increasing the time you spend accumulating
a 401(k) balance (through contributions and
potential for growth of investments)
• Giving you access to employer-provided health
care (which can allow you to avoid paying extra
for your own health insurance policy, if you retire
before you’re eligible)
• Reducing the amount of time you rely on your
retirement savings (income and benefits from
employment can offset the need to tap a nest egg
— and again, allow more time for assets to work in
the market)
A very long retirement is a blessing and a risk.
Fortunately, it’s a risk you can plan for by choosing the
financial strategies that make the most sense for you and
reviewing your retirement plan regularly. Just don’t wait —
by planning now, you’re more likely to enjoy the luxury of
time later.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/
nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr60/nvsr60_04.pdf.
2 U.S. Census Bureau, http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/
aging_population/cb11-194.html.
3 Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, https://www.allianzlife.
com/content/public/Literature/Documents/ENT-993.pdf.
4 2011 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult
Day Services, and Home Care Costs, August, 2011, http://www.metlife.
com/mmi/research/2011-market-survey-long-term-care-costs.html.
5 Center for Retirement Research, “Working Longer: The Solution to the
Retirement Income Challenge,” 2008, http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/
myths_and_realities.pdf.
1
**********
This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and
provided courtesy of Chris J. Ogle, First Vice PresidentInvestment Officer in Destin, Fl. He can be reached at
(850) 837-5366, or [email protected].
Investments in securities and insurance products are:
NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/
MAY LOSE VALUE
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer
and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
©2012 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. CAR# 0812-03206
interiors
Smith’s Antiques Mall
by Christina Homer
S
mith’s Antiques Mall has become more of a
landmark, rather than merely a destination in the
20 years of its existence.
Located on Highway 98 midway between Destin and
Sandestin, the large red 25,000 square-foot building that
occupies almost an entire city block is the largest antique
store on the Emerald Coast. Boasting over 300 unique
booths in its showroom, Smith’s Antique Mall is a onestop shop for rare finds, including high-end collectibles
and antiques, home décor and furniture, small trinkets,
old books, jewelry, and more.
Owner Nedra Smith says, “I show no snobbery when
it comes to hunting and finding stuff. I love it all.“
Smith and her husband Hugh were professionals
in Washington, D.C. before retiring and relocating to
Destin in 1992. They couldn’t
find what they were looking for to Vintage Treasures
decorate their new house, so the
idea of Smith’s Antiques was born.
“We didn’t retire with this in
mind,” Smith admits. “Creating
Smith’s was more of creating a place
for ourselves. We’d go to Europe for
antique fairs (or antique markets in
the U.S.). We pretty much emptied
the Russian country side.”
According to Smith, the
antique dealers truly make the
magic happen. Almost 90 dealers,
many of which have been with
Smith’s since its inception, provide
the mall with unique hard-to-find
treasures, some directly imported
from overseas.
“We handle the business aspect,
and our dealers do the hunting,
gathering, and displaying,” Smith
says. “We’re very selective. They
have to be vetted before joining us European finds
and if they don’t keep up quality,
we get rid of them.”
The Smiths used to take quarterly trips to Europe
and import products, but more of the products come
from the states now. The couple acquires many of their
items from auctions as well. “Auctions are fun!” Smith
exclaims. “There are treasures to be had from the highend antique stores to the junkiest junk shops.”
The mall takes about four hours to fully explore.
Many residents view it as a safe haven—a place to escape
from the hustle and bustle or life’s other challenges. New
treasures come in daily.
“The store is constantly changing,” Smith says. “It’s
like a metamorphosis that occurs daily.”
After Hurricane Opal hit, Smith’s still opened the
next day. “We wanted to help the community get its
stability back,” Smith says. “When people wanted to
get away from cleaning
up and rebuilding, they’d Work of local artists
look around the store
to get peacefulness and
order back into their lives.
Smith’s served as a place to
forget about the damage.”
On its opening day,
1,500 customers flocked
to Smith’s and business
hasn’t slowed down since,
Antique Furniture
so it’s no surprise that
Smith’s was voted “Best of
the Emerald Coast” by Emerald Coast Magazine for 14
consecutive years since the contest began. It has also been
voted “Finest on the Emerald Coast” and “Best in Destin”.
Smith attributes the mall’s success to great dealers,
staff, and customers. The customer mix changes with the
season between locals, second homeowners, and tourists.
“We’re popular with not only locals from Destin,
but also residents from New Orleans, Houston, Dallas,
Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis and Louisville.
Each month has its own dynamic,” Smith says. “Many
residents of New Orleans empty out for Mardi Gras and
come to the beach to get away
from the crowds. They love
antiques.”
Various restaurants in the
area use items from Smith’s as
décor and movie crews have
been known to buy items for
sets. It’s also not unusual to
have a celebrity sighting at the
mall.
The Smiths travel often and
frequent between their home
in Destin and their home in
Virginia horse country. Both
have hobbies outside of the
store. “Hugh went from being
a Senior Vice President of
American Express to now
being a classical guitarist,”
Smith says. “As you age, you
start to reinvent yourselves
and go down different paths.”
Smith herself is a painter
and spends a lot of time
in her studio. Much of her
inspiration
comes
from
Virginia horse country and
the Walton County beaches.
She currently has a painting
selected for inclusion in the
“14th National American Impressionist
Society Show” being held at the M street
Gallery in Charleston South Carolina this
October 2013. Some of her work is sold in
the Smith’s Antiques Mall.
“Here we were traveling all over, yet
I’m always excited to come back and see
our store,” Smith confesses. “I’ve always
loved antiques and enjoyed shopping. I
love the process of hunting, gathering, and searching for
that unexpected treasure.”
Smith’s Antique Mall is located at 12500 Emerald
Coast Parkway, Destin, FL. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 10a6p & Sunday, 11n-5p. Call (850) 654-1484 or visit
their web site at www.smithsantiquesmall.com.
real estate
Premiere Property Group
by Jessica Badour
T
hings are happening on 30-A, which Murray Balkcom
means things are happening with the
region’s real estate market. To that
end, the Premier Property Group (PPG) has
recently expanded with a new office located
within Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.
“We’re one year into this market and
we’re working to build this new office. The
Premier Property Group has been ranked the
top real estate company for the 30-A market,
and now we’re growing into the Sandestin
and Destin market,” says Murray Balkcom, a
licensed REALTOR© and broker with PPG.
“Our offices are literally tied to our name,
‘premier.’ We’re bringing the same level of
customer service and knowledge our 30-A
agents have been delivering since we opened
six years ago. It’s our goal that we’ll remain
No. 1 and keep growing.”
And the 30-A market has the numbers
to back the growth. In July, WaterColor had
its strongest month on record (both in terms
of quantity and dollars sold) with more than
$25 million in sales. The second highest
month on record, at $17 million, fell earlier
this year (twice).
“There’s nonstop build out and pre-sales
with fewer lots available in this area. Right
now, the last remaining lots in Rosemary Beach
are being built,” Balkcom says. “Inventory
continues shrinking, which gives buyers less
options and can start driving prices up.”
Balkcom points out that market
indication of what buyers are willing to
pay versus listing price traditionally falls
within the 88-91 percent range. Today, some
communities along 30-A are seeing 99-100
percent sale price versus list price.
“This shows that buyers are willing to
pay more for the right property when it’s
actually listed at market value. We have a lot
of pent-up demand and people know a good
deal when they see it,” he says. “Our biggest challenge as “We’re getting into this new market and keeping our
we look to the future is keeping enough listing inventories consistency of excellent customer service,” he says. “Today,
to satisfy buyers’ demand. The number of buyers for our we can have a PPG agent in Sandestin who doesn’t need
market continues to grow. At PPG, we chose to expand to know Rosemary Beach and vice versa. With a team
into new markets; Sandestin and Destin.”
of good agents, it’s easy to find an expert for each beach
Balkcom assures that PPG is by no means “moving” neighborhood, which is good for recruiting agents and
– rather, the additional office location bridges gaps in real gives our clients the best of care so that they can make
estate in Northwestern Florida while providing a unique informed purchasing and selling decisions.”
opportunity for both the company and its clientele.
With two offices already located
along 30-A, Balkcom says the company’s
progression was to expand outward either to
Panama City Beach or Sandestin. The more
natural fit was the Sandestin market with its
resort-style developments.
“It’s still close to the beach, but it’s
a very different market from the 30-A
communities,” he explains. “There are many
year-round residents and you’ve got upscale
neighborhoods that are a draw for people
making the permanent move to this area.”
Sandestin and Destin offer both entrylevel prices as well as more upscale offerings.
Some neighborhoods, such as Burnt Pine,
only allow for non-rental properties. “Each
community here is about lifestyle; the kind
of lifestyle the client is looking for,” he says.
“An agent who knows Sandestin doesn’t
want to know anything else. That allows
agents to be specialized experts for particular
neighborhoods. Many of our clients come
to us by referrals and the client gets the
best of customer service this way. It’s a very
powerful tool.”
PPG also continues to expand its
technology, with an advanced search engine
rolling out on the company’s website in
the next few months. This will offer indepth map searching and allow registered
users to save searches and search sold data.
Earlier this year, PPG launched a new real
estate app available for smartphones and
tablet devices (search “The Premier Property
Group” in your app store), allowing clients
to see new listings immediately and search
for properties in real-time using GPS.
Balkcom has more than 20 years
experience in customer service industries,
10 of which have been real estate sales.
He currently serves as a member of the
Emerald Coast Association of Realtors®, Florida
Association of Realtors® and National Association of
Realtors®. His personal website, www.MURRAYon30A.
com provides information about available properties
and the real estate market in general. Reach him at
the PPG office at (850) 231-6500, via cell (850) 8302475, at [email protected], or Facebook
and LinkedIn. Learn more about PPG at www.
ThePremierPropertyGroup.com.
real estate
Bobby Johnson, 30A Local Properties
by Christina Homer
Bobby Johnson
30-A is amazing. I don’t need to sell anyone
on it. I am simply a guide if you are a buyer,
and a mentor if you are a seller.The rest
just happens by the sheer beauty of 30-A.
R
ealtor Bobby Johnson of 30A Local Properties
doesn’t consider himself to be a realtor. Rather, he
deems himself to be a guide or a mentor.
“30-A is amazing,” Johnson says. “I don’t need to sell
anyone on it. I am simply a guide if you are a buyer, and
a mentor if you are a seller. The rest just happens by the
sheer beauty of 30-A.”
Johnson and partner/broker Jack Emerick conceived
30A Local Properties two years ago with the vision of
creating a real estate firm run by locals who know and
love the area. Lori Smith is the office manager, and Garner
Chandler is the other agent, assisted by Meg Castleberry.
Johnson prides the firm on paving a new way in the real
estate world.
“All the agents are equals and have a
voice in our office,” Johnson says. “I need
all their feedback to make this work.”
Johnson began his real estate career in
2000 in 30-A with the St. Joe Company,
which was later purchased by Coldwell
Banker. After the gulf oil spill in 2010,
he and his wife Beverly decided to take a
hiatus from the east coast, and moved to
Huntington Beach, California, where he
ate, slept, and surfed.
“When I was not surfing, I got my
California Real Estate license,” Johnson
explains. “Home called, though, and I
soon realized there was more to life than
surfing.”
Born in Rockford, Illinois, Johnson
and his family moved to Seagrove Beach
in 1980. His grandmother owned a
country store on Highway 98 that he
would frequent in the 1970s.
“We would hang out and pump gas
for tourists, and if we were good that day,
my grandparents would drive us to 30-A
to swim in the salty water,” Johnson says. “My stepdad
is a builder, so when the market began to collapse in the
late 70s he began to think about moving. Grandma felt
this area was about to grow, so we loaded up and moved
on down. What an amazing choice that was!”
A series of stepping-stones led Johnson to his career
in real estate. He opened Collaborations, an art gallery in
30-A, in the 1990s.
“I was always a decent salesperson, but was really
drawn to the arts for some reason,” Johnson says. “It was
very successful and we had the time of our lives. My girls
kind of grew up in that world. Looking back, it was one
of the many things that was grooming me to be a good
real estate agent.”
Now knowing the 30-A area like the back of his
hand, Johnson focuses on the entire 18-mile stretch of
30-A, servicing both the east and west sides. He focuses
primarily on homes, but also sells condos.
“I would get bored selling one neighborhood,”
Johnson admits. “One day you might find me working
a Bayfront lot in Point Washington and the next you
might find me at a $2 million home in WaterColor or
WaterSound.”
Johnson attributes his early real estate success partly
to the many networks and relationships he created while
working in the medical industry after Collaborations.
Additionally, having a stepfather who is a builder,
Johnson believes much of his foundation for real estate
came from him. “I know how a home should be built
and I understand the building and developing side of real
estate,” Johnson explains.
Johnson does not like to predict the future of real
estate, in apprehension that it may be jinxed. “I think
when agents begin to predict or forecast publicly, that
can really backfire,” Johnson explains. “I lived the 20022005 era and everyone was screaming, ‘It’s time to buy!’
Then, when it collapsed, everyone was still screaming, ‘It’s
time to buy!’ As an agent or anyone that sells things on a
commission, it’s always time to buy.”
Outside of real estate and surfing, Johnson is an
active board member of South Walton Artificial Reef
Association (SWARA) and a founder and former board
member of the local Emerald Coast Surfrider Foundation.
This year, he is staying busy coaching his son Brody’s
soccer team. Johnson and Beverly (a teacher at South
Walton High School), have three kids— Natasha, Kelsey
Anna and Brody— and a beagle named Blue.
30A Local Properties is located at 35 Clayton Lane,
Suite B, Grayton Beach, FL 32459; (850) 213-3048;
[email protected]; www.30alocalproperties.com
local business
ORR Porsche and ORR Pre-Owned of Destin:
Luxury At Your Fingertips
I
by R i d g e l ey S ta n d a rd
f you are in the market for a luxury vehicle, think “Not only do we service Porsches, but we can work
Porsche. And if you are thinking Porsche, think Orr on all makes and models. We have our Porsche owners
Porsche and Orr Pre-Owned of Destin. With access to bring us their other cars like Range Rover, Audi, and
over 1,000 pre-owned vehicles and 18 new car franchises Volvo to name but a few. Anyone looking to get his or
within their automotive group, the Orr dealerships have her car serviced should contact us. Our experienced
a vehicle for just about everyone.
technicians are the best.”
Owner Gregg Orr, a third generation dealer
that grew up in the business, purchased
the stores in January 2012. During his
career, he has grown the Gregg Orr Auto
Collection throughout many states and has
become one of the most respected dealers
in the country. General Manager Cameron
Scott, who has worked with Orr for fifteen
years, explains, “For such a large group it is
amazing how much focus Gregg puts into
daily operations to ensure his customers get
the finest experience in the business. I have
been inspired by his vision and the challenge
of the high expectations that he demands in
the business.
“There are so many local dealerships today
fighting for business. What other dealerships
do well we do brilliantly,” continues Scott.
“Our success is from Gregg Orr’s philosophy
of having the right staff that are experienced 2013 Carrera 4s
in their field. If it is in sales or service they
Michael, the GoldMeister
can professionally address clients’ automotive
needs. For example, here in Destin we have one of the top
Porsche technicians in the USA that has “GoldMeister”
status, which is the peak of Porsche training.
“We focus on clean, full spectrum imports that
you cannot see at any other dealership in the area. From
Honda to Aston Martin, Lotus to Jeep.” In the preowned side, inventory comes from numerous sources.
“Many vehicles are trade-ins at our Porsche dealership or
we carefully select the right cars from our sister stores.
Since we have many new car franchises in our group, we
get access to many of the manufacturers financial services
lease return programs from which we can hand pick key
units. We also purchase from individuals looking to sell
their car.
So…why Porsche? “Why
“Mr. Orr ensures that all his dealerships are state of the art and all facilities are clean and inviting. For not?” Scott queries. “It is my
example, at the Destin Porsche facility we are gearing belief that everyone should
towards the future and already installing Hybrid charging have a Porsche at some point
stations for the convenience of motorists to charge their in their life. All you have to
vehicles while visiting our dealership. Further services do is see a Porsche drive down the road and I bet your
include a loaner fleet and shuttle service so you can easily heart beats just a little bit faster. When you drive a Porsche
get around while your car is being serviced. When you you don’t look at other cars and say, ‘Wow, if I was only
come back to pick up your car we will even have your car driving that car instead.’ The Porsche models range in
variety with performance in mind; no matter what your
cleaned for you.
needs are there is a car for every driver. With unique
engineering attributes and their own special character,
Porsche vehicles ensure that ownership of one is second
to none. Additionally, Porsches have shown to have the
best resale prices in the industry. And an interesting fact about 70% of Porsches sold in the last 30 years are still on
the road today.
“We ask people to come by
and visit with one of our Porsche
specialists or we will even bring it to
your home or business to show you
the value in the Porsche product.
We know it is a competitive business
and everyone is looking for a terrific
deal. All we ask for is an opportunity
to help someone find that right car
and do business locally with us. We
can always work on price.”
Porsche service floor
In the panhandle market Orr has the Porsche
Dealership at 808 Airport Road and a Pre-Owned
Dealership at 226 Main Street in Destin. They can be
found online at www.GreggOrrAuto.com
local business
Klear Kanoo
b y Ta y l o r A r n o l d
A
Klear Kanoo is fun for everyone,” says Silvia
Giovannelli, co-owner of Klear Kanoo in Miramar
Beach. “I like to say any person, any age, and any
skill level can Kanoo. It’s for those who would like to dive
or snorkel, but would prefer not to get wet; or for the
fisherman who’d like to see his fish before he catches it. Or
“
for those who like to paddle Greg and Silvia Giovannelli
but prefer to do it sitting
down. Or for those who’d like
a unique experience that only
a Klear Kanoo can deliver.
Anyone can Kanoo!”
Along with her husband
Greg (whom the locals often
call Gio), Silvia opened Klear
Kanoo for business in their
Miramar Beach warehouse
in 2012. They plan to have
a storefront in the next year,
but for now residents and visitors of 30-A will see the
Klear Kanoo Mobile making deliveries across the area.
So what exactly is a Klear Kanoo? “A Klear Kanoo
is a canoe made entirely of Lexan, which is totally clear
and see-through,” Silvia explains. “It’s 11 feet long and
three feet wide. It holds up to 425 pounds, comfortably
seats two and comes with two ergonomic seats with back
support and two oars.” The boats can also go anywhere
you do, as they weigh only 39 pounds. “These boats are
easy to maneuver, track well and are unbelievably fun,”
she says. “Riding one of our Kanoos is like floating on
water. It’s a truly amazing feeling! We saw a loggerhead
turtle under our boat the other day and it was magical!”
Originally from southern California, Silvia has called
Miramar Beach home for the last
15 years. “I came to the 30-A area
in search of a quiet beach town to
raise a family,” she says. (Her son,
Marcelo, is 10). “My husband
came because we met while he
was on a business trip. We fell
in love and he moved here within three months.” While
Silvia works for ResortQuest Real Estate, Greg operates
an upscale millwork supply company that specializes
in antique woods for beach communities on 30-A. In
August 2012, the Giovannellis celebrated their fourth
wedding anniversary.
The idea to bring Klear Kanoos to the Emerald
Coast came pretty naturally to this energetic couple. “We
are very active in outdoor activities, including sailing,
stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling,” Silvia says.
“My husband got to thinking, wouldn’t it be neat to have
a clear paddleboard? But we looked into it and it’s just not
feasible. So upon further research, we discovered these
totally clear canoes and went to work on negotiating the
U.S. exclusive distributorship of the product. After about
a year and a half, we received our boats.”
The boats sell for $2,350 and the Giovannellis
deliver anywhere in the local area.
“The 30-A area is perfect for this product because
we are an outdoor/beach loving community,” Silvia says.
“We have the most beautiful beaches and bays in the
United States, and our crystal waters
were made for our boats! Everyone in
our area that enjoys the water like we
do should have a Klear Kanoo! Many
people are selling their old canoes and
kayaks and trading up to get their own
Klear Kanoo.”
And after just a few months in
business, the Giovannellis are already
becoming a mainstay in the area. “One
of the best things about our job is how
people honk, point, and wave at us
and our boats as we drive in the Klear
Kanoo Mobile down the road,” Silvia
says. “The looks and smiles we get
when we roll our boat out to the beach
is super cool too, and we get a little
crowd around us everywhere we go. My
favorite part is delivering the boats to
our new owners and seeing how happy
and excited they are when we bring the
boat down from the truck. They can’t
wait to take it for a spin and show off to
their friends!”
As for the future of their new
business venture, the Giovannellis have
plans to keep growing with the demand
for their Klear Kanoos. ”We’ll have
several storefronts along Highway 98
and 30-A, several delivery trucks, and
professional employees who give the
same excellent service that Greg and I insist on,” Silvia
says. “It’s the hottest new thing in paddling and it’s here
to stay. This boat is truly going to change the way the
Emerald Coast paddles!”
For more information call (850) 598-0454 or visit
www.klearkanoo.com.
legal eagles
Title Insurance
“What is title insurance and do I really need it?”
b y F r a n k Wa t s o n a n d K i m b e r l y Wa t s o n S e w e l l
the human element; and one begins to realize the
need. Besides, what is not in the public records is
often what causes title trouble.
What is meant by “Title?”
“Title” is synonymous with legal ownership
of property. It legitimates your right to “peaceful
enjoyment” of the property you own, within
restrictions or limitations of use imposed by
covenants or government authorities.
What is Title Insurance?
Kimberly Watson Sewell and Frank Watson
Questions and Answers…
In every real estate transfer the matter of title
examination invariably arises and is often followed by a
question as to the need/nature of title insurance. “But I
have a deed and a title search was originally conducted,”
many people say. “Isn’t that all I need?” No! A deed is
not proof that the seller is actually the owner. Nor does
it contain information regarding the rights others might
have in the property: unpaid taxes, mortgages, easements,
and restrictions. “Can’t I find out about their rights from
the public records?” Yes, most of them. However, all of
the necessary information is not contained in a single
book, in a given office, or even in the same county.
Add to this the possible errors in indexing, improper
searching, and errors in examination; in other words,
Real estate title insurance, unlike most types
of insurance, insures the property’s title for the
time period extending backward in time from the
date of the policy rather than forward, protecting
against losses arising from events occurring prior
to the date of the policy. The title insurance
guarantees a buyer’s ownership and peaceful
enjoyment against existing hidden claims, liens
or judgments associated with a property after the
purchase is completed. This means that when a
buyer purchases real estate, a title insurance policy
insures or otherwise guarantees that the buyer is
protected if a hidden defect in the property title
is subsequently discovered. Hidden risks such as
those referenced below could potentially lead to
a significant financial loss or actual loss of title to
the property.
Title insurance will pay for 100% of all
expenses in defending you against any lawsuits
attacking the title as insured, and will either “clear
up” the title problems or pay the insured’s losses up
to the amount of the policy.
A One-Time Investment.
Unlike hazard, flood or casualty insurance, when
you purchase a Title Insurance Policy, you pay a single,
one-time fee based on the value of the property being
insured. Yet, the policy provides protection indefinitely
remaining in effect as long as the insured has an interest
in the property. If the insured should die, the coverage
automatically continues for the benefit of the insured’s
heirs. Additionally, if the insured sells the property via
a general warranty deed, which is typical, the insured is
giving warranties of title to the buyer, were the insured
covenants with the buyer that not only has the insured
not personally done anything to adversely affect the title
being conveyed, but neither has anyone else who has ever
owned the property, the owner’s coverage continues to
insure the owner regarding said warranties.
How are Title Insurance Rates Set?
How title insurance premium rates are set varies
from state to state. In some states rates are set by the title
companies themselves and in others, such as Florida, the
rates are set by the State Department of Insurance. For
those states that set the rates such as Florida, each title
company is required to charge the same for title insurance
and rates are promulgated based on the purchase price of
the property. As such, when shopping title insurance in
Florida, you will receive similar rates for title insurance
from each company.
Some HIDDEN RISKS that can cause a loss of title
or create an encumbrance on title may include, any the
following situations:
1.Seller purchased the property while committing
mortgage fraud.
2.Seller or prior seller may have outstanding personal
judgments which could attach to the property.
3.Forged or missing deeds, mortgages, satisfactions
or releases of mortgages, and other instruments.
4.Invalid, suppressed, undisclosed, and erroneous interpretation of wills or undisclosed or missing heirs.
5.Liens from unpaid estate, inheritance, income, gift
and real estate taxes.
6.A judgment or levy upon which the title is
dependent may be void or voidable on account of
some defect in the legal proceeding.
7.A prior deed may be voidable because it was signed
while the grantor was incompetent, a minor or in
bankruptcy.
8.Outstanding prescriptive rights not of record and
not disclosed.
9.Mistakes made during the examination of the title
of the property.
Frank Watson has been conducting
real estate closings along 30A Since
1997. For more information, please
contact: Watson Sewell, PL (850)
231-3465 - www.watsonsewell.com
and South Walton Title (850) 2313467 - www.southwaltontitle.com.
turf talk
Golf Holiday Shopping Guide
b y To m F i t z p a t r i c k
I
f you need some clever gift ideas for that special golfer,
here are several suggestions towards making your
shopping season just a bit easier.
Kiel James Patrick Bracelets are
fashionably made of leather, rope, or
necktie silk. $48 kieljamespatrick.com
Kentwool socks are considered the
most comfortable socks available.
Several Tour players including
Masters champ Bubba Watson wear
them. $20 kentwoolsocks.com
TRAINERroller illustrates 12 exercises in graphics on
its surface so you can easily follow a routine. The highdensity foam construction efficiently massages muscle and
connective tissue. $40 sklz.com
Anne Stone has created anodized
aluminum putting cups that catch the
ball from any direction. Perfect for
home or office. $40 annestone.com
Swingbyte 2 Swing Analyzer
is now redesigned and displays
an interactive 3D visual of your
swing and stats to your smart
phone. $150 swingbyte.com
Tokens & Icons Cuff Links and Wallet
feature embedded golf ball covers. Links:
$150, Wallet: $70 tokens-links.com
Switch Belts are a big hit on the PGA Tour.
They come in 14 vibrant colors, made of
bio-degradable material, and can be cleaned
in the dishwasher! $30 switchbelt.com
Bushnell Pro 1M
is the best distance
finder on the market.
$500 busnell.com
Club Glove Golf Bag Travel
Cover is a must option for
serious golfers. Used by
the pros, it truly safeguards
expensive golf equipment
against breakage. You can
pack golf clubs, shoes,
and gear. Rolls easily thru
airports. $299 clubglove.com
ES12 Portable Launch
Monitor gives feedback
on ball speed, distance
and more. Connects to
your smart phone. $250
ernestsports.com
Tin Cup Marking System allows you
to easily create your own logo design
for your golf ball. $20 tin-cup.com
Tom Fitzpatrick is real estate
broker of 30-A Beach Properties.
Tom sells in Rosemary Beach,
Watercolor, and all of 30-A.
Call if you’d like to discuss real
estate opportunities at (850)
225-4674 or [email protected]

InsIde - The Thirty

Transcription

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