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Chi Chi Miguel Fund Raiser
Donates Over $93,000 to ECCAC
Presented by the Emeril Lagasse
Foundation, the 12th annual Chi Chi Miguel
fund raiser took place this spring and raised
$2 million for eight area charities. From the
overall monies raised, the Emerald Coast
Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC)
received a generous $93,973.94.
Founded in 2006 by co-chairs Valerie
and Mike “Chi Chi Miguel” Thompson
as a small backyard barbeque competition,
the Throwdown Benefi t Auction & BBQ
has since expanded to a three-day, star-
studded event and one of the most successful
fundraisers along the Emerald Coast.
ECCAC also directly benefi ted from the 10th
annual Chi Chi Miguel Golf Tournament
at Burnt Pines in Sandestin, and chaired by
ECCAC supporters, Jim and Ann Barri.
ECCAC CEO Julie Hurst-Porterfi eld
commented, “Over the years, both the
Thompsons and their Chi Chi Miguel
Throwdown have been an instrumental part
of our success and ability to be able to serve
the children. We are so appreciative of the Chi
Chi supporters, too.”
With facilities in Niceville and the Pierce
Family Children’s Advocacy Center in
Defuniak Springs, ECCAC serves abused
children and their families in a neutral
environment. In the organizations’ 17-year
history, more than 43,000 direct services
have been provided in a child-friendly
environment to over 12,000 children and their
families. Services are provided at no cost by
the nonprofi t organization.
For more information, visit www.eccac.org.
Major sponsors Jim Pearce/Isagenix and Frank
Flautt/Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
with Chi Chi Miguel founder, Mike Thompson,
at the Chi Chi golf tournament. Proceeds from this
event and the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown totaled
over $93,000 to benefi t ECCAC.
Northwest Florida Ballet
Announces the 2018-2019 Season
with Four World-Class Productions
The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB)
announces programming for its forty-
ninth season productions at venues all
along the Emerald Coast and the return of
the Northwest Florida Ballet Symphony
Orchestra. The 2018-2019 season features
four world-class productions at Grand
Boulevard, the Mattie Kelly Arts Center,
Destin United Methodist Church and the
Northwest Florida Ballet’s Downtown
Studios.
NFB opens this spectacular season on Sat.,
Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. with A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, a free outdoor performance.
NFB returns to the Mattie Kelly Arts
Center to present the thirty-ninth annual
production of the classic holiday favorite, The
Nutcracker. Performances will be held on
November 16-18. As an additional holiday
treat, NFB brings back Lightwire Theater for
A Very Electric Christmas on December 21 -
22. Lightwire Theater will thrill audiences of
all ages with this magical and captivating tale
of family, friendship and hope set to timeless
holiday hits including Nat King Cole, Mariah
Carey and Tchaikovsky.
The season concludes with New Moves,
performed on March 8-10. New Moves
features the premiere of new and cutting
edge works by guest choreographers as well
as a mix of contemporary, neoclassical and
classical pieces from the NFB repertoire.
“We are excited to offer a variety of
productions in venues across the Emerald
Coast in this our forty-ninth anniversary
season. We are happy to bring world class
training and performances to our community
as well as unsurpassed educational
opportunities in arts education through our
NFB Academie,” said NFB Artistic Director
and CEO Todd Eric Allen.
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen to
Open In Destin Commons
Paula Deen and
Destin Commons
have announced
plans to open
the family-style
restaurant at Destin
Commons in Destin.
Paula Deen’s Family
Kitchen is expected
to open fi rst quarter
2019 on South Street
by Uncle Buck’s
Fishbowl & Grill.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our
shoppers to enjoy the warmth and hospitality
created by Paula Deen while adding to the
Destin Commons shopping experience,” said
Heather Ruiz, the outdoor lifestyle center’s
senior director of marketing and leasing.
“Paula Deen’s team delivers quality food,
service and ambience at a great value, and
we’re excited to have them here, especially
with occasional appearances by Paula Deen
and their exhibition kitchen, a replica of
Paula’s kitchen in her home.
“I’m so looking forward to teaming up with
Destin Commons and Phoenix Hospitality
& Entertainment to bring the newest Paula
Deen’s Family Kitchen to my fans in the great
state of Florida,” said Deen. “Together we
will provide a truly memorable experience
for folks who enjoy delicious Southern
comfort food, Southern hospitality and great
entertainment”
“The 300-seat restaurant will be
accompanied by a retail store featuring items
hand-selected by Paula Deen to refl ect her
gracious taste and Savannah’s rich cultural
heritage. Many of her favorite products can
only be found in the retail store inside of Paula
Deen’s Family Kitchen restaurants.
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