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My daughter attended the collegiate HS in Niceville. While I cannot say enough good things about the program, I definitely came to understand that it is NOT for everyone. My daughter was more artsy than academic, mature for her age and (mostly) self-motivated. She graduated with her HS diploma...

I'm pretty sure I had it. Woke up with eye pain that felt kind of like a sinus headache. That lasted a couple of days but never progressed into anything worse. I was tired but not fluish, and had no fever. Then I had a rash all over. Thankfully those were my only symptoms. I'm not even outside...

What about Steamboat Landing? It's kind of a local joint so it doesn't get the kind of crazy crowd that the touristy places get during holiday weekends. The food is good, varied and reasonably priced and the place is clean (very clean) and homey. Nice lighting. I always notice the lighting; it...

We only eat oysters at Gene's in Panama City -- worth the drive, and off the beaten path. Perfect day trip on a rainy day, when you're looking to get off the beach.

I have worked in condo rentals and always made it a point to inform visitors about the flag system, stressing the importance of educating their children and other guests as well. I told them about rip currents and how it can be tempting to wade in...just a little...even if the red flags are out...

I think if you're vacationing in a hot spot it's best to be proactive. I bring a white noise machine with me when I travel -- actually I have two. One for home and one for travel! Bliss! Bottom line is if you're counting on someone else to make sure you're getting the quiet sleep you deserve...

For oysters, hand's down it's Gene's Oyster Bar in Panama City. A hole in the wall opened 60-or-so years ago. No atmosphere to speak of, but everyone on staff is efficient and friendly. For the longest time all they offered were raw oysters, but now they have a larger menu, and everything I've...

Cool project. Why not do a "Rainbow Bridge" version -- with the tags of animals that have passed. It could be a poignant art project.

I think you're wondering about a family bringing food from other places (for example: two McDonald's cheeseburgers for children) and ordering food and drinks from your establishment? Although it's not "nice" -- I'd let it go. As long as they are customers in the sense that they have paid for...

I meant to add -- rescue organizations and shelters are great resource for those looking into a particular breed. My pups are all rescues and shelter mutts, thoroughly mixed. I just know that some people have their hearts set on a certain breed, and they should be aware of exactly what to look...

Not all breeders (or even most) breed for show quality -- where things like a curled tail or a "wrongly"-textured coat would disqualify the dog. But a responsible breeder (in my book) is one that breeds purely for the love of the breed (not necessarily for profit), with an eye toward breed...

No responsible breeder deliberately breeds mixed puppies. Golden Doodles are not a breed, and while I don't doubt that there are plenty of nice Golden/Poodle mutts out there, the kind of person who mates two different breeds for the sole purpose of making money isn't likely to be so concerned...

Sexton's for shrimp. No credit cards, though. Cash or local check. The service there is a little curt and not particularly friendly, but their shrimp and fish are very fresh. I like Destin Ice for more of a full-service seafood market. Their prices seem to be a tad higher on fresh fish and...

I like Don Pedro's and Steamboat -- tasty seafood and some Korean bbq. Non-touristy. Great food. Dished out with a minimum of fuss!

We went and had a great time! We're going to sigh up for the Florida Trail Association and their Meet-up group (Choctaw Chapter). There are plenty of trails all around the area and this time of year is prime time for hiking!

I'm having trouble finding information regarding this event. Every link points to "meet up" which requires a registration, but there's no contact info on the organization's website for anyone to answer basic questions regarding this group. I just need to know if the hike is open to non-members...

Okaloosa schools and South Walton Public schools are really amazing! Best in the state. Okaloosa (Fort Walton/Shalimar) is less picturesque than SoWal, but has more jobs (because of military presence), lower housing prices and is still plenty close to the beach. With the Mid-Bay bridge...

I don't eat meat so I bring the sides to go along with my family's traditional turkey and dressing. Baked yellow squash casserole with fontina cheese and fried shallots Mashed rutabagas with butter, cream, kosher salt and pepper and a bit of fresh nutmeg Vegetarian gravy (for the rutabagas) A...

I like Don Pedro's. Nothing fancy, but the food is always well-prepared (with a nice emphasis on fresh produce) and cheap.

Stinky's for the variety, consistency and price. It's traditional enough that you'll feel like you're eating "Florida food" but different enough that you don't feel like they're phoning it in. Or....just do an appetizer crawl, like bluecat suggested. Stinky's, Shorty's, Red Bar....then further...

This is my fav. It's creamy enough for the ranch folks and tangy enough for the vinaigrette folks, and you can just shake it in a jar and store it in the fridge. You really don't even need to measure, just eye it and taste as you go along. ½ cup mayonnaise (not the fat-free stuff) 1/4 cup...

I haven't eaten at the other places -- although they are all on my list! -- but I love Don Pedro's. The food is always fresh, a little bit different from the usual "Mexican" fare and reasonably priced. Thanks for the reviews!

Scotty's does good auto repair work, but I don't know about auto body. You might call and ask. If they can't handle it they'll be able to recommend someone.

I agree with Alicia -- if there seems to be a struggle at the table, then step away for a few minutes until they can work it out. If a diner sneakily wants to take care of it, then he/she must REALLY want to take care of it and the "struggle" isn't for show, so you should put it on their card...

I second Big City! The food is well-prepared, different but not strange, and the prices and atmosphere (modern yet warm and casual) are first rate! If you aren't into Thai -- for which FWB is famous -- other options: Slick Micks for sandwiches and pub fare. Buffalo Reef, for the wings only...

I didn't mean to make it sound as if most restaurants or businesses here acting this way. Most staff I've encountered seemed happy to provide great service, and maybe that's why the ones that don't stand out! But as these examples/comments prove, it only takes one bad experience to leave a bad...

Beach Runner -- Me too!! And it does apply to all sorts of businesses. A few years ago I entered a local women's clothing/gift shop and apparently I wasn't dressed in enough finery to merit a greeting or any attention at all. I still gave the store a quick circle, and as I left I said, "Thank...

I know dogs get out for various reasons (gate left open by a meter reader, or you have a door-darter) and can run loose (it's happened to me!) but I've also seen quite a few people who walk with their dogs not on a leash. Most of the people who do this -- non-leash walking -- act as if it...

My son worked on the 4th and was HAPPY to do so! Around here, you got to make hay while the sun shines! :)

I guess I'm weird, because I don't think of the Fourth as a family holiday -- it's a social holiday. Family holidays, in my mind, are those like Thanksgiving and Christmas or Easter, holidays that revolve around intimate gatherings, and family or religious traditions. Social holidays are about...

I believe the law requires that cyclists ride with the flow of traffic and abide by the same traffic laws as all other vehicles on the road. I know it seems like riding toward traffic would give you a "heads up" of approaching danger, in reality, you wouldn't have time to react if a car were...

Can you give an idea of pay? I know a few experienced cooks who might like to..er...jump ship. But they wouldn't do it for less than what they're making now. PM me if necessary!

Let me start by saying I'm an incredibly patient person, born of Southern temperament, so I assume everyone is doing their best. During the busy tourist season, I don't expect my food and drinks "chop chop!" and I don't mind sharing my husband's napkin, knife or water glass if the server forgot...

I want to make that Poppy Seed Lemon cake too!!! If I try it I will also post back. P.S. The "Mythbusters" confirmed that eating poppy seed bakery products might lead to a positive on a drug test. Can eating a poppy seed bagel cause you to fail a drug test? -- Legal Issues -- The Opium Poppy FAQ

Here are a few that I like for the recipes, personality/writing, and luscious photos: David Lebovitz smitten kitchen 101 Cookbooks - Healthy Recipe Journal Homesick Texan The Pioneer Woman Cooks - Ree Drummond What's On My Plate kalofagas.ca – Greek Food & Beyond (Unique Greek recipes)...

We have lived in the Okaloosa/Walton co area all our lives. True natives! In that time I've seen many restaurants come and go. Some were excellent restaurants that I mourned. Some deserved to die a quick death. And then there are those that become an institution and somehow carry a meek but...

I'm pretty sure the Grayton location -- Baby Jambones -- has closed for the winter season. The main location is open.

I have Chows. WHY are you wanting to breed your dog? Are you an experienced breeder? Have you had your dog tested for genetic maladies -- including hip displaysia, eye problems, and other disorders related to Chows?? Chows are being killed by the thousands in shelters because of 1) lack of...

Yes, Foodie, that's where I meant. It's just a little pub type restaurant, but the food is solid and fairly cheap -- and I'm hecka glad that you can get a bite to eat somewhere in the summer without a huge wait. Sometimes they have Korean bbq on the menu too, which my husband has enjoyed. I...

Red Bar, Shorty's and Stinky's for far better than average coastal fare (heavy on the seafood) at good prices and great atmosphere. I'd bring a large party of visitors here. View for miles and leisure meal -- Bud and Alley's and/or The Pizza Bar. Excellent, top quality food at prices that...

See...I don't like the Sunday Brunches where you pay a set price for unlimited snarfing. I'm a small woman with a wee stomach. Why should I pay 20+ bucks for the same access as someone twice my size and three times my appetite? I just can't justify it because I always lose money and then I guilt...

If I were going to develop the property, I'd look around to surrounding areas and see which businesses are thriving and pick a type of business that Sowal lacks. Actually a Thai restaurant might be quite good. FWB has a LOT of Thai restaurants due to the large Thai population there. (We like...

I'm watching this closely. We have two homes and five cars insured with State Farm (and only one claim -- a small-figure auto claim -- in 25 years). Through all of these hurricanes, we've never had to file a single homeowners claim. If they price our homes out, we'll take all of our business...

Losing a pet is truly gut-wrenching, and sometimes even more traumatic that losing a human friend or family member simply because there isn't a standard ritual (viewing, service, burial, community gathering and a public sharing of grief) to mark the occasion. Personally, I think people are...

You had asked upthread if stainless is "dated"...I think it's not so much dated as ubiquitous. Personally, while I think a very nice stove is the centerpiece of a kitchen and I wouldn't mind it looking impressively front-and-center (highlighted by color or with stainless or looking...

Not to offend anyone, but a vet is going to recommend Science Diet because they make a very nice profit on it. Most vets (and most of our own doctors) have very little interest or knowledge in nutrition. Science Diet certainly isn't the worst food out there, but it's not great either --...

I hate to poop on a happy ending, and it is a happy ending...ultimately...but to me, its also a cautionary tale. For every happy ending like this, is one that ends badly. With an unwanted animal being dumped off with friends (who later dump it off at a shelter or a/c facility because they can't...

As far as I know the central kitchen is still in operation. Many of the on site school kitchens were dismantled after the centrail kitchen came into vogue. Liza Jackson is NOT a private school, BTW. It's a charter school. Charter schools are FREE to the general public, and operate under the...

Okaloosa County public schools provide their lunches through a central kitchen and they are delivered to be heated and served at the school. The lunches they provide are terrible in taste, appearance, and nutrition. I grew up in the area and our lunch ladies provided soups, stews, chili...

You know....all the time I hear "it's all in how you raise them." Well, it's not. As a foster mom, I've raised puppies from seven days and up. With a couple of them, I could tell from the time they were very very young that they were going to be unsuitable for families with young children. They...