Jason & Jimmy Burgess of ERA Great South Realty, Inc. in DeFuniak Springs recently returned from attending the top educational opportunity offered in the real estate industry, the STAR POWER Annual Conference.

Presented by internationally-acclaimed educator and trainer, Howard Brinton, this Conference brought together over 1,500 of the most progressive, forward-thinking professionals in real estate today to share their methods of success. The faculty consisted of 100 of the continent's top-producing real estate professionals, all ranking in the top 1% of all REALTORS in North America.

Looking for a new place to go on Friday nights? The Emerald Queen Paddle Wheel Boat features Dancing to the Oldies every Friday night. Refreshments including boiled shrimp, nachos and hot dogs are available as are a variety of adult beverages. Boarding for the 2 « - 3 hour cruise begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations cam be made by calling 837-2930.

L. Pizitz, a home furnishing and accessory store in Seaside has recently finished a complete renovation and expansion. In addition to knocking down a wall, the store was reconfigured and painted to create an open and casual feeling so the customer feels comfortable shopping for items reflecting the seaside style.

The store, named after Louis Pizitz, founder of the Alabama department store, carries a variety of items for your home or cottage. Their inventory ranges from slipcover furniture, custom made tables, fine linens, and unique accessories down to a rubber duck for your bathroom

L. Pizitz is located in Downtown Seaside and is open year-round. Call 231-2240 to speak to one of their home furnishing staff members.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation is pleased to bring the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's touring production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It to the area for one performance on October 30 at 7:30 p.m. on the mainstage of Okaloosa-Walton Community College. The production features a refreshing delivery of Shakespeare's magical tale wrapped in a tapestry of seventeenth century costumes with a fanciful high-column setting.

Tickets for this special performance, $20 for adults and $15 for students K-12, are available by calling the box office at the Arts Center at OWCC. Additional information on the production may be obtained by contacting the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation at 650-2226.

The Northwest Florida Daily News won two Editor & Publisher marketing awards from the International Newspaper Marketing Association at its annual conference. The first award was for an ad, "You're Never Too Young" featuring a five-year old boy reading the Daily News. The advertisement was created by Jeanne Reif, marketing director at the Daily News. Judy Ricks with Meigs, O'Connor Ricks was the designer.

The second award was for the Newspaper In Education category for a three-part entry. It included the Vote To Read tab section that was published in cooperation with school officials, the supervisor of elections and the literacy council. The section went to every student in the county on Literacy Day, September 23. Teachers began a six-week study of the election process. The Daily News also ran a double-truck with signatures of people in the community to raise $4,000 for Newspaper In Education teacher scholarships. For six weeks before the election the Rupert Reads column included newspaper related election activities. This project was coordinated by Carol Debolt, educational director at the Daily News.

The Merchants of Seaside have added a Sunday evening Premium red Wine Tasting event to the popular Seeing Red Wine Festival scheduled for October 1 - 3. The upscale event will be held Sunday, October 3 from 5 - 7 p.m. under a large tent on the Lyceum lawn in Seaside and will feature six, knowledgeable wine experts _____________________ round out the memorable evening. Tickets are $100 per person and limited to 100 guests. Limited and Reserve wines will also be available for purchase during and after the event. Saturday's Seeing Red Wine Tasting Event is sold out. To purchase tickets for the Premium Red Wine Tasting Event, call 231-5424.

October is dedicated nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Both military and civilian communities throughout the nation will observe this recognition to highlight the serious nature of Domestic Violence that not only affects the victim but the family, community, and society as a whole.

Many special activities are planned throughout the community during the month. For information about these events, or about domestic violence issues call the Shelter House at 243-1201.

South Walton Physical Therapy Center introduces its new Sports Therapy Center. The center, located in the Therapy Center's well established, new 3,000 sq. Ft. location situated in Santa Rosa Village, also offers Medical/Social, Mental Health and Christian Counseling. Included in the location, clients will find the newest state-of-the art equipment consisting of the ProMaxima, which is a universal 5 weight stack multi-gym for therapeutic exercises and the Constant Moving Force which enhances performance by simulating movements with variable resistance. This equipment can be utilized in the rehabilitation of every type of sports injury and can even improve your golf or tennis swing. For additional information about other services available, call 267-9010.

The Alliance Players, South Walton Three Arts Alliance's theater group, will perform Neil Simon's The Odd couple, female version, October 16 & 17 and October 23 & 24 at Bay Middle School. Performances for October 16 and 23 will begin at 8 p.m.; matinee performance, October 17 & 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, $10 for adults, $8 seniors and students.