Food is a big part of what we do at Scenic 98 Coastal. Our approach is to write about places we enjoy, where the experience is always satisfying. We don’t consider ourselves food critics, but we enjoy all kinds of options from no frills to fancy. It’s all about the experience, and a good dining experience comes in many flavors.

It’s hard to believe that Dharma Blue, the iconic restaurant in historic Pensacola known for its outstanding fresh local seafood and sushi, opened 29 years ago on February 15, 1996, and is just now hosting its first-ever wine pairing dinner on Thursday, April 10. The theme for this event is Five Flags Over Pensacola, and it should be interesting, educational, and a whole lot of fun!

Orthopedic care has made great strides in improving the quality of life for people in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. As we age, stress on our joints can become acute, and fortunately, science and medical procedures have advanced so much that replacement surgery has become commonplace. 

The GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL is about to take off again on November 1-3 in downtown Pensacola as it has, almost uninterrupted, since 1973. As always, the all-volunteer committee will put their heart into organizing a beautiful 3-day event and the fine artists who grace Historic Seville Square will provide the soul with their amazing creativity.

I wasn’t surprised to learn that Lynn Oldshue was born and raised in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Many famous people are from Yazoo City, including Willie Morris, Jerry Clower, and Zig Ziglar, to name a few. As the author of the blog and book Our Southern Souls, Lynn has earned a reputation of her own, capturing the essence through her storytelling, of thousands of everyday people living among us.. 

It’s nearly August and the so-called “dog days” are upon us here along the Gulf Coast. The kids are tired of swimming; band, cheerleader, soccer, and football camps are in the books; they’re likely finished with Vacation Bible School, the bills for the family vacation have come in and no one wants to be out in the stickiness of the heat and humidity.

I have always been fascinated to learn how business people got their start and the roads they traveled to get where they are. Most are lessons in perseverance, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Very few, I’ve found, just stumbled out of the gate and succeeded on pure luck. A positive mental attitude is a common trait.

Many people along the Eastern Shore know him as a top-notch drummer, but there’s a lot more to Craig Riches than meets the ear. For almost a quarter-century, his love of making music has usually taken a back seat to his main gig, creating eye-catching art that is recognized around the country.