The giving of advice has become an industry

Image courtesy of Flickr user Got Credit by way of a Creative Commons license. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gotcredit/

A word of advice: Ever get the feeling you’re being overwhelmed with advice? I have here a press release from the National Headache Foundation, which I’ve been keeping since last month. The NHF wanted me to have a “headache-free Valentine’s… READ MORE

It’s time to put a stop to cellular hellular

Image courtesy of Mike Skoropad by way of a Creative Commons license. https://www.flickr.com/photos/192905932@N07/51156116220

They got mail: Last week I asked you guys to e-mail birthday greetings to Karen Jarnigan (formerly Wolf) and Tavel Bell (formerly Cowen), who both used to work at the Daily News and then moved along to bigger and better… READ MORE

Okaloosa Island development plans smell fishy

Image courtesy of Del Stone Jr.

Good morning, Okaloosa County, and welcome to $4.3 million worth of new development on Okaloosa Island, courtesy of park leaseholders Surfside Ventures and your overly friendly County Commission. Say what? You didn’t know about any development proposal for Okaloosa Island?… READ MORE

Escape from LA was just so much $#@&5\% fun!

Image courtesy of Caleb George by way of a Creative Commons search. https://unsplash.com/@seemoris

They had to pry my hands off the armrest. I didn’t know which was worse: flying 2,500 turbulent miles or landing at Los Angeles International Airport. I was a nervous wreck. Where was my luggage? “Over there,” a security guard… READ MORE

My predictions for the year 1999

Image by Del Stone Jr.

Instead of New Year’s resolutions, or a madcap review of 1998, I offer this take on the upcoming 12 months. January: In an effort to lure shoppers, downtown Fort Walton Beach merchants and chamber officials come up with a catchy… READ MORE

No more holiday newsletter envy for me!

This Christmas I received many, many newsletter updates about my friends, their families and their lives. I enjoy these epistles, but I come away from them feeling inadequate, which is a nice way of saying I come away from them… READ MORE

Beware, traffic bozos! I’m watching

Image courtesy of Shannon Holman. https://www.flickr.com/photos/shannonholman/

They came by email and they came by telephone and they came by fax and even good old Uncle Sam’s snail mail. And almost to a man and woman they cried: Kick the flickers. You folks really hate people who… READ MORE

The Palm Theater lives on in my memory

This photo has been largely agreed upon as having been taken at the Palm Theater in Fort Walton Beach, although some doubt remains. I was unable to find the name of the photographer. If anybody knows the identity of the photographer, please let me know. I'll be happy to include a credit or remove the photo, if the photographer would prefer. I found it under a Creative Commons license and it appears to be available for use.

First they closed the Stardust. Now, the old Palm Theater has burned to the ground. Ashes to dust. For me, the Palm, called The Picture Show these past few years, had assumed a warm and comfortable place in memory, like… READ MORE

At least the hurricane wasn’t named ‘Monica’

Image courtesy of NOAA. — As the dark clouds and the muddy waters swirl, let us pause to express our gratitude. It could have been worse. Much worse. The hurricane could have been named “Monica,” leaving bashful journalists deprived of… READ MORE