How To Listen:

Listen online using the player at the upper right hand corner of this page (broadband) or click for the dial-up version.

You may also right-click to download the podcast: 052_Destin_Florida_Podcast.mp3 and put it on your portable media player or burn it to a CD and listen in the car!

iTunes listeners subscribe through our iTunes Destin Florida Podcast page.

Some Of The News Covered:

The snowbirds are here! February is expected to be the primary month when the most snowbirds will be here along the Emerald Coast. Bookings with hotels and resorts are solid for 2009 which, is a good sign for things to come! Snow birds come down to escape the winter conditions in places like Canada, Minnesota, Montana and Michigan.

WestJet may come to the Northwest Florida Regional Airport! With many snowbirds coming to the Emerald Coast, a new airline may fly into the Northwest Florida Regional Airport depending on the demand for the air service. If convinced, WestJet would have a direct flight from Toronto to Northwest Florida saving many snowbirds a long drive. A campaign is being carried out this snowbird season to determine the demand for the flight.

Emerald Coast Coffee is one of many great coffee shops on the Emerald Coast! Emerald Coast Coffee is a new addition to Harbor Walk on the Destin Harbor. The coffee shop is very inviting with a great relaxing atmoshere and view. Along with great coffee and sandwiches, free wi-fi is offered.

Destin has the best beaches according to Southern Living Magazine. Southern Living Magazine's Reader's Choice Awards rated Destin 10th for Best Weekend Getaway, 9th for Best City, 3rd for the Best Family Destination and 1st for the Best Beach! The Emerald Coast is recognized as one of the most beautiful coastlines in the United States and even the World!

Mako Sharks have been seen by local fishermen just off the coast of Destin beaches. One of the Mako encounters was with a specimen estimated to be 15 feet long. The fishermen that encountered the large Mako reported that the shark attacked a dolphin and later consumed it. Two years ago, a similar situation was witnessed off the beaches of Navarre during spring months. Makos are common during spring months when lots of fish are migrating off the Emerald Coast.

The East Pass may get dredged again! Boats coming out of the East Pass are having difficulty with shallow water created by sand build-up from the constant water movement. Many charters are having to idle with caution especially, during low-tide because parts of the East Pass are becoming very shallow. The City of Destin plans to get funds to dredge the pass so, boats can access the gulf with more ease.

Links From This Episode:

Thanks to our sponsors for helping make this show possible. Please visit them at:

• Hammock Bay in Freeport, Florida
• Uptown Station in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

Music selection for this episode is Scars and Stripes of Fort Walton Beach with their song Nothing to Prove.

• Scars and Stripes Myspace Page
• www.scarsandstripes.net

Got a show comment or suggestion? Or, are you a local band/artist who would like us to play your music?

I love to hear from you and find out more that you would like to know about Destin and the Emerald Coast!

Email me at destinfloridapodcast@yahoo.com

How To Listen:

Listen online using the player at the upper right hand corner of this page (broadband) or click for the dial-up version.

You may also right-click to download the podcast: 051_Destin_Florida_Podcast.mp3 and put it on your portable media player or burn it to a CD and listen in the car!

iTunes listeners subscribe through our iTunes Destin Florida Podcast page.

Some Of The News Covered:

Baytowne in the Sandestin resort brought in a crowd, but it was Harborwalk that took the cake for New Years! The Harborwalk had a great turnout for its first New Years celebration. With many places to choose from, crowds were spread out. Along with new bars on the harbor, it was the fireworks display and the ball drop that everyone was talking about.

Tim Creehan has decided to close his restaurants. Tim Creehan decided to close BeachWalk Cafe, Copper Grill and Bluz Grill and Bar for the slow months due to a slow economy. The businesses are planned to reopen for Spring 2009! Close to 100 employees were affected.

A new four-star Hilton resort will be coming to Okaloosa Island. The new Hilton will be located across Highway 98 from Beasley Park on the sound-side. Ground will break in February and construction will last for 15 months. The development is expected to be completed by May 15, 2010. Developers are currently waiting for a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Pompano Joe's parking lot is well underway with construction. Parking is limited for Pompano Joe's, but not for much longer. Half of the parking lot is expected to be completed by the end of February and be open for parking!

The ice skating rink in Baytowne is still open till February! The ice rink in Baytowne is averaging 150 ice skaters a day. The hours of operation are 4 till 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. 11 till 10 on Saturday. Sunday from noon till 6 p.m. The cost to ice skate is $10 per person.

Dogs may soon be allowed into restaurants in Okaloosa County. An ordinance may be passed that allows dogs into permitted restaurants with designated outdoor portions. Angler's Beachside Grill will work with the county to develop what will be called the Yappy Hour Act.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo may get a financial break. The zoo has received $125,000 from the Santa Rosa County Commission and another $125,000 from Escambia County. The zoo may see another $100,000 from an owner of a private zoo in Connecticut. The owner of the zoo made an official loan, but has till March to make a final decision.

Links From This Episode:

Thanks to our sponsors for helping make this show possible. Please visit them at:

• Hammock Bay in Freeport, Florida
• Uptown Station in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

Music selection for this episode is Todd Workman of Fort Walton Beach with his song I Always Find You.

• Todd Workman Myspace Page

Got a show comment or suggestion? Or, are you a local band/artist who would like us to play your music?

I love to hear from you and find out more that you would like to know about Destin and the Emerald Coast!

Email me at destinfloridapodcast@yahoo.com