FORT WALTON BEACH - Although its corporate office still will not confirm it, Kohl's is coming. The Okaloosa County Commission unanimously approved site plans for a new Kohl's department store to be located near the intersection of Beal Parkway and Hurlburt Road in Fort Walton Beach. With Tuesday's approval, construction is expected to start early next month, said John Kramp, site development manager for Kohl's. He said they hope to have the store open by the end of the year. "It's going to be a fairly long road (before the store opens)," Kramp said. "The timetable is up in the air." The first phase will be the demolition of the Bay Furniture building. The new 103,990-square-foot department store will replace the old Bay Furniture next to Winn-Dixie. The only question commissioners had a... 02/20/2008

Fantastic news for homeowners living withing the city limits of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  The city is offering assistance for roofing and exterior painting.  You may be eligible if your primary residence is within city limits, a single story, and in need of a new roof or exterior paint.   Your income cannot exceed the following limits:1-person household - $35,050 2-person household - $40,100 3-person household - $45,100 4-person household - $50,100 5-person household - $54,100 6-person household - $58,100   Anyone interested in more information should contact Cathy Ducharme at (850) 833-9598. 01/20/2008

Well, I missed Mardi Gras on the island in Fort Walton Beach, FL.  It was on January 19th this year, and it slipped by me without notice.  However, there is still time to catch the Pensacola Mardi Gras on February 2nd.  This is a 4 day event, that is full of fun.  Pensacola, Florida is 40 miles from Fort Walton Beach, Florida and 65 miles from Niceville, Florida.  Another hour west of Pensacola is Mobile, Alabama and they have the claim to fame as the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in America.  Beginning on January 5th and culminating on February 5th (Fat Tuesday), the streets of downtown Mobile are transformed with marching bands, floats, and of course moon pies.  Mobile prides itself on having a "family friendly Mardi Gras" experience.  There are many more upcoming events in the Fort W... 01/20/2008

Web Site: http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/wright/   Address: 305 Lang Road                   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 Grade Report School Improvement FCAT Reading/Math Results Attendance Zone Description    Location Number: 0281      Phone Number: (850) 833-3580    Fax Number: (850) 833-3584 01/18/2008

Web Site: http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/silversands/   Address: 349 Holmes Blvd., NW                   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Grade Report School Improvement FCAT Reading/Math Results Attendance Zone Description    Location Number: 0241      Phone Number: (850) 833-3364    Fax Number: (850) 833-3366 01/18/2008

Web Site: http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/ocean/   Address: 720 Essex Road                   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 Grade Report School Improvement FCAT Reading/Math Results Attendance Zone Description    Location Number: 0551      Phone Number: (850) 833-3556    Fax Number: (850) 833-3257 01/18/2008

Map Email    Web Site: http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/kenwood/   Address: 15 Eagle Street, NE                   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 Grade Report School Improvement FCAT Reading/Math Results Attendance Zone Description    Location Number: 0621      Phone Number: (850) 833-3570    Fax Number: (850) 833-3597 01/18/2008

Map Email    Web Site: http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/elliott/   Address: 301 Hughes Street                   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Grade Report School Improvement FCAT Reading/Math Results Attendance Zone Description    Location Number: 0541      Phone Number: (850) 833-3355    Fax Number: (850) 833-3473 01/18/2008

Map    Web Site: http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/edwins/   Address: 7 SW Wright Parkway                   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Grade Report School Improvement FCAT Reading/Math Results Attendance Zone Description    Location Number: 0031      Phone Number: (850) 833-3333    Fax Number: (850) 833-3480 01/18/2008

Fort Walton Beach Investments We now offer free instant access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with complete real estate listings for the Emerald Coast, including Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County. Are you looking to buy or sell a home or real estate in Northwest Florida? Give us a call; we can help with it all! Team Sold. We are now easier to find with http://www.fortwaltoninvestments.com/   Florida Real Estate with Brandon Jordan, your Northwest Florida Realtor and ActiveRain featured Realtor for Okaloosa County since 2007. We provide this information and much more on our site for you at no charge, so please remember us when you're looking to buy or sell real estate. 01/05/2008

Twelve Step Plan to Make You Feel Better About This Market by Walter Sanford                                                                         For thirty-three years, I have either been selling or training other top agents to sell real estate at a high level. My real estate business has survived numerous market cycles. I have depended upon this twelve step plan to allow me in focusing, regenerating, and surviving differing markets. I hope these truths will help you become profitable and ride out any storms on your horizon. The National Association of REALTORS® and your state association will always have published reports that sound better than what you are personally experiencing in the market. Please understand that they support us. They know that whatever they say will end up i... 11/13/2007

The story that is the first story of this weekends issue. Fort Walton Beach LandMark Center received site approval from the Fort Walton Beach City Council. 343 space public parking facility adjacent to the center also was approved. The community embraces the project as evident from the meeting overwhelming turnout. Sally Sage owner of Little Bo Feet said she is a long time resident and would like to see the downtown revitalized. The idea of working living and playing all in one location makes this developent such a fresh necessary addition to our downtown says Emerald Coast Partners  The historic downntown area is diverse and overflowing with culture and landmarks wants to enhance that feel. The landmark center is looking to redefine Florida Living with upscale european inspired complex... 09/01/2007

 MuseumsAir Force Armament Museum100 Museum DriveEglin Air Force Base, FL 32542(850) 882-4062 The Arts & Design Society17 First St. S.E.Fort Walton Beach, FL(850)2 244-1271Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum107 First St.Fort Walton Beach, FL(850) 244-3433Indian Temple Mound Museum and Park139 Miracle Strip ParkwayFort Walton Beach, FL(850) 243-6521The Focus Center139 Brooks StreetFort Walton Beach, FL(850)231-4214Fort Walton Beach Art Museum38 S.W. Robinwood Dr.Fort Walton Beach, FL(850) 244-1893 TheatersThe Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton Community College 17 First St. S.E.Fort Walton Beach, FL(850) 729-6000 OWCC Proscenium Playhouse and Music Theater Hurlburt Field CenterHurlburt Field, FL(850) 729-5382Stage Crafter Community Theatre Inc. 40 SW Robinwood Dr. Fort Walton Beach, FL(850) 243-1... 08/02/2007

  ParksJohn Beasley Park1550 Miracle Strip ParkwayFort Walton Beach, FLNewman C. Brackin Wayside Park1460 Miracle Strip ParkwayFort Walton Beach, FLPocahontas Boat Ramp565A Pocahontas DriveFort Walton Beach, FLRickey Avenue Boat Ramp165 Rickey AvenueFort Walton Beach, FLLang Road Park304 Priscilla DriveFort Walton Beach, FLLittle Marler Park1247 Siebert DriveFort Walton Beach, FLSylvania Heights Playground311 Shirley DriveFort Walton Beach, FLBeach Access #1 - Blue Dolphin Beachwalk 372 Santa Rosa BoulevardFort Walton Beach, FLBeach Access #2 - Emerald View Beachwalk399 Santa Rosa BoulevardFort Walton Beach, FL Beach Access #3 - Seashore Beachwalk530 Santa Rosa BoulevardFort Walton Beach, FLBeach Access #4600 Santa Rosa BoulevardFort Walton Beach, FLBeach Access #5 700 Santa Rosa Boulev... 08/02/2007

  GolfFort Walton Beach Golf Club 1955 Lewis Turner Blvd. Fort Walton Beach, FL(850) 833-9528 - tee times (850) 833-9664 - administration Island Golf Center1306 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL (850) 244-1612 Shalimar Pointe Country Club 302 Country Club Rd. Shalimar, FL (850) 651-1416 Florida Real Estate with Brandon Jordan, your Northwest Florida Realtor and ActiveRain featured Realtor for Okaloosa County since 2007. We provide this information and much more on our site for you at no charge, so please remember us when you're looking to buy or sell real estate. 08/02/2007

Research listings in the local area by using the Emerald Coast Association Of Realtors free public website, emeraldcoasthomesonline.com/kathyarmstrong. Searches can be done for Fort Walton Beach, Hurlburt Field Area, Eglin Air Force Base Area, Destin, Niceville, Navarre, Crestview, Santa Rosa Beach, and The Beaches Of South Walton. You can search for the properties that meet your criteria such as single family homes, condos, town homes, and vacant land. 07/11/2007

Reconstruction of the Ocean City Access Ways to be DiscussedDistrict 3 Commissioner Bill Roberts, along with Okaloosa County Public Works, will meet with homeowners and all interested parties about the "Reconstruction of the Ocean City Access Ways." The meeting will take place in the third floor conference room, of the Water and Sewer building, located at 1804 Lewis Turner Boulevard. Again, all interested citizens are invited to attend. Florida Real Estate with Brandon Jordan, your Northwest Florida Realtor and ActiveRain featured Realtor for Okaloosa County since 2007. We provide this information and much more on our site for you at no charge, so please remember us when you're looking to buy or sell real estate. 05/20/2007

Thought I'd Pass This On (Directions are below note):Public Invited to Home Buyers Seminar at Emerald Coast Asso. of Realtors (ECAR)Place:  Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR)                   10 Hollywood Blvd.      Ft. Walton Beach, FL  Date:  April 28, 2007Time:  10:00 am - 12:00 noon Offering consumers not only a message but also practical information, ECAR's Public Relations Committee is sponsoring a two-hour home buyers seminar at ECAR on April 28. The workshop is part of an overall strategy to let the public know that now is a great time to buy. The public event starts at 10:00 a.m. and features information on financing, credit reports, down payment assistance, and purchase agreements. Richard McNeese of McNeese Title, Kelly Cameron of Countrywide Home Loans, and ECAR C... 04/27/2007

From a population of 90 in 1940 to over 175,000 in 2002, the Greater Fort Walton Beach area has enjoyed growth in many areas. Undiscovered for many years, the area abounds with both large and small businesses, beautiful residential neighborhoods, sophisticated condominium complexes, an active industrial park engaged in light, clean industry, and many opportunities for outdoor sports and activities. A civic auditorium, council chambers, library complex, and attractive parks give the city its core of activity. Fort Walton Beach has an unusual number of fine restaurants and entertainment facilities. A top rated educational system provides students with the opportunity of a kindergarten through graduate school education. The city has many churches of every denomination as well as numerous c... 03/28/2007

How much money do you need to bring to the table on closing day? Reminder: Keep your copy of the "good faith estimate" and compare it to the final list of closing costs. Question any changes or additions. Your closing agent should allow you to review the settlement form one business day before closing. You may want to preview a sample of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement at the web site of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The site also has other helpful information about closings and settlement. At this point, having secured the mortgage loan, you already have paid for the loan application fee, the property appraisal and some of the down payment. At the closing, you will need to pay the balance of your down payment. There are other costs that still must be paid in order to ... 03/23/2007