You may have seen our article on local musicians Chris and Gileah Taylor, Penning Lyrics With Soul, in our Fall/Winter 2008 issue of VIE. Remember that heartfelt song, Come Around Again, from Chris? Well, he has just produced a new music video to accompany it and we have to say, it is pretty great! So, check it out right here.
New Music Video from Chris Taylor
October 29th, 2008Baby Mercie Takes Precedence Over Hope, Coffee & Melody Tour
October 29th, 2008
In an article in our recent Fall/Winter 2008 issue of VIE, Penning Lyrics With Soul, we told you about local musician Chris Taylor’s upcoming fall tour with the Robbie Seay Band called Hope, Coffee & Melody. We are sorry to report that Chris’s wife, Gileah encountered some complications with her pregnancy that required Chris to sit this one out and remain by her side. Their beautiful daughter, Mercie, came two months early, but she is now happy, healthy and home. Read the updates in his own words on his myspace blog here.
Cottages for Kids 2008: Earth Friendly…Kid Approved
October 29th, 2008
In our recent Fall/Winter 2008 issue of VIE, we published an article called The Power of a Smile: Acts of Kindness Make a Difference that highlighted the work of the Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) and their major annual fundraising event Cottages for Kids. Master craftsmen, architects, builders and artisans donate their time and expertise to create fanciful playhouse cottages to be auctioned off. The proceeds benefit CVHN that strives to provide necessary healthcare treatment to underinsured children in our community. The photos above picture some of last year’s cottages. This year the Grand Opening will take place Saturday, November 8th 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and the Auction Day will be Saturday, November 29th with viewing days in between. To find out more, click on these links for The Children’s Volunteer Health Network or Cottages for Kids or read the article in VIE online.
Artist Portrait Study: Stefan Daiberl’s The Ecdysis
October 28th, 2008
In the Fall/Winter issue of VIE we showcased artist Stefan Daiberl and published part of a Q&A session between him and Ann Hunter. We promised to provide the interview in its entirety on our blog and here it is! Click here to read the full length Q&A.
Peggy’s Letter to the Editor
October 28th, 2008
In our recent Fall/Winter 2008 issue of VIE, we printed a portion of a letter to the editor described as the publisher’s most cherished. Read the letter in its entirety here.
VIE - People + Places Fall 2008 Issue!!
October 27th, 2008
The anxiously awaited VIE - People + Places Fall/Winter 2008 Issue has hit the stands! We couldn’t be more excited or proud!
VIE Travels to Paris!
October 24th, 2008
(Photo: Lisa at the Luxembourg Gardens)Â
As many of our readers know, VIE - People + Places’s name was inspired by the French word “Vie” meaning”life” or “way of living.” In October, Editor and Publisher of VIE, Jerry and Lisa Burwell, were celebrating life like Parisians in the City of Lights and bringing VIE to the French capital. In the Spring 2008 issue of VIE, we published an article called “Shopping Paris with Ann Hartley.” Jerry and Lisa liked the idea so much that they took a trip with fashion connoisseur Ann Hartley shopping and exploring the chic nooks and crannies of Paris walking the rues of one of Europe’s most beautiful and elegant cities.
(Photo by Ann Hartley: Jerry & Lisa at Notre Dame)
Look for more details about Jerry and Lisa’s experience in Paris in the Spring 2009 issue of VIE. In the mean time, check out some of the great photos they took here.
Destin Festival of the Arts
October 23rd, 2008 
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s 13th annual Destin Festival of the Arts comes to town this Saturday and Sunday October 25 and 26. For art, music, food and family fun head out to The Destin Festival of the Arts at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin overlooking the dunes and emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This fine arts festival will feature over 100 artists, ArtStop - a children’s interactive art area, live music, bistro food court, an adult/student collaborative exhibit and festival t-shirts and posters. Admission donation is $3/adult and children under 12 are free. For more information call 850-650-2226 or click here.
Congratulations CAA!
October 23rd, 2008
In a recent Cultural Arts Association (CAA) newsletter, Executive Director Jennifer Steele Saunders announced that on October 14th the Walton County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to designate the CAA as the official Local Arts Agency for Walton County. The CAA was also designated as the organization to receive and administer the funds from the sale of “Florida Arts” license plates. Congratulations to the CAA!
YOLO Boarding This Weekend!
October 22nd, 2008
The YOLO Board Winter Stand-Up Paddle Series race event kicks off this Sunday, October 26th at 1:00 pm (race starts at 1:30) at Scully’s on the Bayou in Fort Walton Beach. There is no entry fee so all can participate or go and watch. Divisions for the race event include: 4 person co-ed adults, 13-18 youth open, 12-under, individual shootout, short distance and buoy course. There will be prizes for the division winners and open demos after the races. To sign your team up call 850.622.5760. For more info click here.
Brainwear for Smart People
October 21st, 2008
The main function of your bicycle helmet is to protect your head. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your style when wearing it. If you are among those who use your head, you use a helmet, and if you are also among those who appreciate looking stylish, you wear a YAKKAY helmet. These helmets are especially designed for you so you can feel safe and stylish at the same time.
We think the YAKKAY “Smart One” is a great new find. It is a new smart design that differs by its rounded ear straps and adjustment buckles in polished stainless steel. But the real difference shows when one of the many different covers is attached to the helmet – It changes from its characteristics of a helmet to a hat and becomes an accessory to your outfit.
You adjust the helmet to your head with a number of adhesive foam circles which have the added advantage that air can circulate between them. When you are riding your bicycle, air will be pushed into the helmet, and pleasantly cool down your head. In addition, your head will stay dry in rainy weather, as the covers are designed without open holes.
YAKKAY is continuously developing new covers, so you can always be sure to find one that suits you, and if you fancy a change you can easily replace your cover and in this way get an entirely new look for your bike helmet! They come in beanie, sunhat, peaked cap… and in many colors! Find our more here.
Fashion from the Recycling Bin
October 20th, 2008
 
Environmentally savvy fashion forward thinkers are getting creative these days. On the international scene Surya Graf, a Brisbane, Australia-based product designer, has created the Spare Tire Bike Tube Belt. The stylish Spare Tire Belt is constructed out of reclaimed bicycle inner tubes, allowing cyclists to sport their passion in their fashion sense. Graf was in search of a smart recycling solution to all of the tube garbage from old inner tubes. He began to collect used mountain bike tubes from local cycle shops who were glad to have them off their hands and out of the trash, and the Spare Tire Belt was born. One of the most unique elements of the Spare Tire Belt is that the tubes come from all types of manufacturers and distributors so each belt carries its own exclusive markings and specific details.
Closer to home, Annette Newbill Trujillo at the Newbill Collection by the Sea, art gallery and boutique fashion retailer in Seaside, Florida is selling interesting recycled wear herself. She carries artists like Jeff Davis who creates bowls, snack trays, clocks and coasters from old vinyl records and others like Graham Bergh who makes bowls, business card holders, photo frames and clocks from recycled bicycle chains and sprockets. Day Moore and Alison Grieveson craft bags from recycled vinyl billboards and advertising banners. Cynthia Goldner makes clocks from old computer parts and CD’s and Steve Buss makes clocks from cans, whisks and slinkys! One of our favorites though was artist Renee Christopher from Oregon who makes purses from recycled tire inner tubes with reclaimed water supply hose handles as pictured here. Christopher says the handbags are inspired by her vision of today’s woman and, “Prove that durability need not be dowdy, nor femininity fussy and fragile.”
We hope you enjoy this little sampling of eco-friendly fashion. For more info about the Newbill by the Sea gallery call 850.231.4500Â
“Stayin’ Alive” Could Save Your Life
October 20th, 2008
As it turns out, a certain 70’s pop music favorite just might save your life. Doctors in the United States have found the song has the ideal beat to perform CPR chest compressions on a victim of cardiac arrest. The song’s rhythm has 103 beats per minute which is very close to the recommended rate of 100 chest compressions per minute for CPR. Read more about this story here.
“Creative Artbar” at Redfish Village
October 17th, 2008
The Cultural Arts Association (CAA) is partnering with Redfish Village to present “creativeartbar,” a Saturday morning event that will offer art workshops, original art exhibitions/sales, seasonal food, create-your-own brunch style cocktails, and mellow music to get the weekend started in the most creative of ways! They are calling artists of all types, styles and mediums to participate one Saturday or more from now through December 27th.
For more information contact the CAA at 850.622.5970 or culturalarts@embarqmail.com.
“Parade of Wings” & Butterfly Mural
October 16th, 2008
The Cultural Arts Association (CAA) will take part in the South Walton Community Council’s Back to Nature Festival for “Family Fun Day” in the Seaside Lyceum on October 18, 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. CAA will have a butterfly wing booth where children may purchase butterfly wings for $5 and decorate them before the official “Parade of Wings” begins at 3:00 pm. All proceeds will benefit CAA and SWCC.Also during the Family Fun Day on October 18, the CAA will partner with The Seaside Institute and 4KIDS to host the creation of a Butterfly Mural for the Art Miles Mural Project. Artist Bailey Miller will have sketched the mural so that other artists of all ages, novice and expert, can assist with the painting from 10 am until 4 pm. The purpose of the Art Miles Mural Project is to promote global peace and harmony through mural art, and the CAA is honored to be a part of this world-wide project. The mural will eventually make its way to Egypt!
