Does anyone know what the 'bench-like' things are that have popped up along 30-a?????? Surely they aren't benches.......so what?? Curious....?

You mean the board resting on two pipes, about 6 inches off the ground, around Seaside and WC?

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just what we need, more signs on 30a.

[John R photos by John R inserted here from later in the thread.]







Thanks John!

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supposed to bring continuity to 30A, blending all the communities. ha, ha, ha.

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I never did finish that engineering degree... but, I would assume that the two 6' long sections of 4" PVC embedded in the ground will probably stay put. However, the connection point with the regular pine 2" x 6" and the Sign will most likely fail; causing the Sign to become just another piece of wind borne debris during the next direct Hurricane.

upon closer inspection, it appears that the pipes are steel, not PVC. and the larger diameter collars are for leveling.

either way, there appear to more than we need. they're spaced everywhere

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They mentioned placing signs at each crossing of the Timpoochie Trail, aka the multi-use trail. That could be a lot of signs and obstacles blocking views.

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Have they said what color they will change the signs to next year?

They are the bases for the new signs - they have a frame of the same color blue metal pipes bolted to the bases.

Liked the "old" signs much better. These look like subway signs or something.

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The enemy is ignorance.

This is a TDC project approved many months ago and is separate from the multi-use path wayfinding project that was recently approved. I think you will find these signs are attractive and they will identify communities along 30A. The set backs are to be in line with the Florida Green book per WC.

I just walked past the new sign for Watercolor. It is placed right smack in front of the Watercolor's own sign!

What the heck? Those are so ugly!

Thanks for the pix.

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When I first heard of this project, I thought that consistent signange was a good idea. But dang! It's a huge sign for conveying so little information.

There was consistent signage (at least IMO), and the wood signs had some charm.

Why exactly did we need the new ones? If people were getting lost or were confused about their location, my suggestion would be better directions, maps, or street signs, not these gaudy blue markers.

My parents have only visited Sowal a total of 2x, yet know exactly where anything is that I am talking about on the phone via the easy landmarks of Alys Beach, Gulf Place, Seaside, and the flashing red lights at 395 and Grayton.

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The enemy is ignorance.

They are popping up pretty quick headed east. The interesting thing is that it seems to be redefining parts of 30A already. For instance the Preserve at Grayton is no longer in Grayton and is currently located in Blue Mountain.

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In our opinion, these signs are ridiculous. What was wrong with the signs that were already in place. They went with the whole charm of our beaches ... they blended and were soothing to the eyes. These new signs are giant and blue .... waaaaahhhh ... we want the old signs back. How can we get the oldies back?

Good thing we paid a "local" company more because they knew the area .

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The enemy is ignorance.

[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Bob/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/2008_01_07/IMG_0229a.JPG[/IMG]

The first shot of the completed sign is across from the west entrance to Draper Lake. The second is at Ed Walline Park, they had just finished pouring the concrete for the bases. (I think the underground portion will definitely hold up in a Hurricane) I'm sorry these aren't better, I was driving at the time.

They are to provide continuity to the varied communities along 30A. (Strange, b/c I thought the people supposedly liked the "uniqueness" of the different developments.)

The name for the Preserve at Grayton has always been a weird one in my opinion because it is located in what I call Blue Mtn Beach.

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Didn't the old / previous signs already have continuity? Weren't they all the same design?

Yes, but they had fallen into disrepair. In addition some locations had crudely made signs. Check out the sign for alligator lake in Grayton. It is spray painted on the back of an old road sign.

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We were unaware of this ... but still like the old school ones better ...

I thought the same thing. But based on the placement of the new signs I think that Preserve Place, The Preserve, Sanctuary At Redfish and Sanctuary by the Sea have been relegated to "No Man's Land." The new signs will be to the West of Preserve Place for Blue Mountain Beach and to the East of Sanctuary by the Sea for Grayton Beach. Also, the completed sign at Draper Lake is for Santa Rosa Beach, which did not have a sign previously. Maybe the lines are being re-drawn?

This makes the "Beaches of South Walton" sign I saw last fall on the wall of the No Name Saloon in Park City, UT a major collector's item. Time to go out there and steal it back!

You would have to ask the TDC about why they felt these signs were needed. All that I know is they taged onto the Timpoochee project and wanted the same signs as they had on the beaches. I like the old wooden ones too-they had character. I think they went with these because they are able to sustain very high big storm winds.
It would have been nice if they would have reached out to the community and ask for opinions.
On the Timpoochee project at least WC went to professionals and they did involve some of us local citizens. Our concern has always been safety and that's the only thing we wanted for the path. Hopefully the new crosswalks and other markings will make a difference.

Welcome to Limbo.

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When they enacted the sign ordinance for SoWal, I wrote a letter to the editor. I had recently buried 4 family members, and had to purchase head stones for their graves. The sign ordinance requirements looked to me like headstones. I personally don't enjoy driving around looking at a community filled with headstones! I suppose it represents what is within! I met the manager at Publix in SanDestin, when he moved here for the job, he drove by the store 3 times before he saw the sign! I'm still waiting for someone to have enough courage to put on their sign, "Here lies..... Born..... Died??????"!!!

I don't mind most of the sign rules and regs, as I like not seeing a skyline of signage. IMO these garish blue ones are unnecessary and are quite unattractive. If signs were in disrepair, they should have just been replaced.

If people have that much trouble navigating or seeing something they shouldn't be driving a car! I am famous for my ability to get lost and I never had a problem with any of the current signs.

As I looked at the multiple signs for Watercolor etc., I wondered if they will take the old ones down? If not, sheetload of clutter on the side of the roads!

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The enemy is ignorance.

bye bye wood signs...

I guess they call it progress. oh well, there are worse things.

The new signs are part of the new Scenic designation for 30-A; I believe there are requirements for a comprehensive design for all signage along the scenic corridor. As with anything change is difficult and judgments will be made positive and negative. I personally think they are a little big for the purpose but otherwise are a positive element to designate each town and in a short while will blend in like everything else new.

I am glad you liked the old signs, I designed them and put them in the ground 15 or so years ago. As an officer of the Scenic-30 A Business association I convinced the TDC to pay for them if we came up with a design and placed them. I felt it was important to go ahead and call Scenic 30-A a Scenic road in the hopes it would eventually become one; why not give everyone the perception it was? Who cares if it really did not have the designation as long as everyone perceived it was. In my mind it has always been one from the first time I road down it going surfing one day in 1979.

In those days it was just called C-30A, and none of the communities had a sign showing borders; the only town that had signs was Seaside. I called all the old timers to find out what the actual borders were and started the process. Seacrest was named by community members who lived there because that area had no historical name. I originally placed the Seagrove signs next to Seaside ending next to the Seagrove Villa's where the original Grove stopped (Cube McGee's development) but before long an unnamed Realtor moved it much further east into "New Seagrove" closer to Eastern Lake; from that point on everything east of the Wheel House Restaurant up to Eastern lake became Seagrove. Everyone still makes a designation between "Old Seagrove" and "New Seagrove" when they are giving directions.

Due to the efforts of Claire Bannerman and many dedicated folks our beloved road has been awarded a scenic designation; these new signs are a part of that designation. It something to be very proud of.

What's the town between Blue Mountain and Santa Rosa Beach called?

That would be... south of no where, or Santa Rosa Beach!

Per Claire: official scenic highway designation is expected Feb 20th, 2008.

I too dislike these signs. Just saw the one for Blue Mt. The blue is garish IMO. Why could they have not at least kept to the Emerald Green of our beautiful water.....the wooden ones were so much better. These are too big, too blue, and too commercial looking.

the unique-ness of our area is quickly disappearing....

The blue signs don't bother me on the beach, but their color and shape seem very out of place on the road and I don't think they are as attractive as either the old signs they replace or the individual signs of areas like Watercolor and Alys beach.

What exactly is the deal w/ the scenic highway designation? At one point there was a thread and meetings about it, but haven't heard anything more or gotten more info on it.

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The enemy is ignorance.

These big (ugly, in my opinion) signs seem to be in violation of the 30a sign restrictions. Is there some way that the TDC gets around the rules that everyone else must follow?

I think a protest of ugly sign usage is in order!

These signs are a continuance of the signs they use at all SoWal county offices as I see. This design was apparently approved some time ago. Mother used to say, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".

thanks for the historical info, and new scenic designation status. It really is progress... surely we can adapt to new signage along scenic 30a.

I'm driving to work this morning and I notice one of the new signs "Dune Allen" placed in Beach Highlands. What's with this?
Technically it's placed on the south side of 30A before Hilltop drive which is located in Beach Highlands.

Am I right?

...and last night, the BCC voted to extend the Scenic Corridor to include ChurchHill Bayou Road, South Church St and Chat Holley Rd. I believe they extended the designation for the north south connector roads, in the December meeting.

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While I like the old wooden signs much better than the new ones, it is really the "scenic corridor" designation for Hwy 98 that upsets me. It is a major artery for gosh sake and anything but scenic at this point in time. Try and find Ace Hardware, for instance, and if you are elderly, I'll guarantee you'll have a problem. I passed it up this week because of heavy traffic and I've been there many times. Signage of the size and dimensions for 98 are rediculous IMO. I really feel 98 has outgrown its "scenic corridor" designation. By the same token, I am for designation of 30A and the other roads as "scenic corridors". They fit the designation and are, indeed, scenic. Not so for Hwy 98.

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signs,signs everwhere signs. tdc has more money than sense. lets buy chris titus a personal car.

From my days on the Arts and Culture Committee for the TDC, I remember the designs came from a big agency in some big city. It always seemed backward to me to support local artists through the Artist of the Year program, but not supporting commercial artists. The material used is an odd choice. The signs do not have continuity from the environment. It simply irritates me: Big agency mentality vs. Small agency knowing their market-- and of course, the executives who determine who is best suited for the job.

It saddens me to see the new signs. They look like the bus stop signs in Old Key West at Disney World in Orlando. I thought people always enjoyed the subtle approach to each community as they'd wind down scenic highway 30-A. The new community signs will now jump out at them and announce their presence with a strong standardized appearance. Unfortunately, I think the signs will help serve to homogenize the Beaches of South Walton and make people feel like they are on vacation, rather than at home on their beach. I'm afraid that when all the homogenization is complete, along with all the new construction that looks like any other community showcased in the magazine Coastal Living, the Beaches of South Walton will have lost a good deal of its charm and individual beauty that sets it apart from other coastal communities. I'm afraid it will become just another beach zone at Disney, where the people are suppose to be nice, not genuine and the venues run like clockwork instead of scattered like surprises down 30-A. I hope this doesn't happen.

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Ben

Still, as I understand it, the signs have to conform with the Sign Ordinance, and be reviewed by a board before approved. What are you to do?

How long before the first SoWal sticker goes on one?

Also has anyone noticed that all of the wooden signs have disappeared over night. Whoever did this is mean, I was waiting for this weekend to "claim" mine.

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Part of what makes our county unique is we don't have huge signs. We must have strict guidelines for signage otherwise we will be overloaded with billboards and over-sized signs like most everywhere else. Business's don't need a big sign to be successful, they need to build business through efficiency, customer service, building word of mouth and using Sowal of course. Small works fine plain and simple.

I can list hundred's of business's in South Walton that have been successful for years and new ones that are already successful with small signs. A perfect example is the new restaurant, Fire. They are located off the Grayton road, hidden behind Frank's Cash and Carry and their sign is only about 3' by 3'. They have great food and worked very hard in a very short time to build a very devoted following. I have no doubt they will be around for a long time and they will be because they deserve it not because of a sign.

If you do the right thing, people will find you. I am sick of people saying on Hwy. 98 the business's need bigger signs. It takes hard work to make a business successful, not a sign. Hwy 98 is a main corridor anyway; if you can't make it on 98 than you have a problem.

In this age of GPS, INTERNET, slow speed limits through business areas etc. Anyone who can't find a location is in a coma, not elderly. And besides, being elderly does not automatically make you predisposed to getting lost. I have plenty of young friends who have been lost for years.

And, let's accept the fact that 98 is a scenic corridor plain and simple. At least half of Hwy 98 through Walton county is bordered by state park and always will be. The areas bordering the whole road behind the developed areas are part of a green-way that deer and other animals use to move east to west. Let's hope 98 never outgrows it's "scenic corridor" designation; if it does it might be time to move on to the next place for me.

Dave, your post makes a perfect IMO arguement against these new signs: as you say, we don't need big signs -- so why are they there? With technology you don't need a sign to know where you are going - so why put those signs up at all? And who really cares where the borders of the beach towns are...what possible difference does it make?

The signs are too big, too commercial looking and too blue !

What was the TDC thinking?

Well I guess it depends on the type of business you have and the people you know! Let's see, I was born in DFS, went to school at Pt. Washington, Freeport, and Walton Senior High. I guess I know a lot of Walton Countians! Not all are in a coma, nor use GPS, or even the web! Most all use the highway though, and considering SoWal is where the jobs are, many use 98. I met the new manager of Publix at Sandestin, who was neither in a coma, nor blind, nor a senior citizen, and he drove by Publix 3 times before he finally found the store for the first time! If you go to the ball game, the signs there are written in very large, bold letters, and those folks are sitting in one place! And, they pay a lot of money to have one of those signs! I guess thats why those ad agencies make so much money, and all the studies they do on how to market a particular product. Gee, I guess their just wasting both time and money, if just word of mouth will do!
By the way, SoWal is not necessarily unique, I find it to be very conforming. To be unique is to be different, here, we must conform to the non-conformist, or pay a hefty fee! Example, Christmas lights, seems that they are all white/clear, no one has the courage to do anything different! Or maybe there is an ordinance for that to?

I haven't found any other info on this subject, shouldn't it be in it's own thread? Do you have any more info?

Did anyone notice the new sign on 331, yet? Yes, 331, south of the bridge also fits into the designation. I wonder if they will also add them to the recently added roads, Chat Holley, Churchill Bayou Rd, and S Church St? I'm just glad they are blue (seems weird since we are the "Emerald" Coast) rather than Pepto-Bismal Pink.

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Yeah that suck compared to the wooden cute ones.

AND some are so big that people cant see out of the driveways and side roads near them

Who are the commissoners who voted these in over the old ones being updated

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I thought since the signs were being erected on all of the scenic corridor designated roads, it was pertinent here. You haven't seen any other info on the subject because they just voted for it last night. Hasn't even made the Walton Sun, yet.

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I don't think the Commissioners voted on the sign designs, only who would win the bid to install the signs. The TDC probably had a focus group to design the signs.

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Just pointing out that the old ones seemed to pop right out of the ground over the last few days. The new ones seem a little more theft proof. Considering all the metal and concrete I think it's going to be interesting the first time a drunk misses a fire hydrant and plows into one of those.

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I was basically responding to Andy's comments regarding Hwy 98 and got off topic but I do agree the signs are too big for the purpose.

Let's see........what makes Sowal unique(different) from Bay and Okaloosa counties? Lot's of natural open undeveloped space, At least 5 state parks, bike paths, high rises are not allowed (except in Sandestin), protected dune lakes that naturally flow into the Gulf (Panama City just paved over them and put in culverts), no billboards(anyone love billboards?).

All these things and more are why the jobs are here and why so many people come here to vacation, live and work. We are bordered by counties that were designed with little or no planning and the differences are clear. If I ever did get lost finding a shop or a restaurant, I'd rather get lost in SoWal then Okaloosa and Bay.

I'm sorry, I don't think I'm going to get used to looking at the new signs. And yes, Dave, I remember your early efforts to designate the beaches in the early years of the Scenic 30-A Business Association. We prayed for bike paths and wildflowers on the corridor "someday" and got a few of those wishes too! I do wish we'd been able to keep that group intact, maybe we wouldn't have gone from cute indigenous wooden sign straight to big blue ugly sign from hell!

The signs are a major mistake, and should be removed and reworked into something that fits with the scale of 30A and the color. Who approved the color? I'm sure it is part of the TDC's approved palette, but that blue is the most garish thing on the road. It fits with nothing. They should be painted green if they stay. What a costly waste of money.




Be sure to inform your commissioner how you feel, or else they'll never go away.

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I can't figure out how to create a poll. Could someone more savvy get on that?

you need to be the thread originator to do that function. It's at the very bottom of 'additional options'.

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What do you think?

I think they suck, but that's just me. Horrid is too kind a term.

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I can't see your poll, but I vote for butt ugly. I give them permission to squander some more of our out of state tax money and do it again.

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

Have you seen the one coming in south on 395 to 30-A? The thing can only be read by birds - it's so TALL!!!

Besides that, it's REALLY UGLY!!!!!!

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Facebook - Mr Seagrover calls this "Facemask" - are you surprised?!?!?

The new signs have to go away. Paint won't cure ugly.

Just curious, are they created by the same folks who created the giant metal beach ball at Pier Park in PCB? It looks like the same style, big brightly painted metal.

There was an uproar when similarly garish new signs were installed by our hometown Park District. The solution was to repaint the outer portions/backs of the signs a neutral, natural, soothing taupe/brown color.

When the signs blended into the landscape a little more, they became acceptable to most, at much less cost than full replacement. Maybe that can happen with these signs.

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Who said anything about Bay and Okaloosa County? I thought we were unique, who's comparing? What, so we have to keep up with the Jones? Sorry, I'm not accustomed to the compare thing, don't do it myself. I live by what I feel is right for me, I really don't care what someone else is doing, in regards to keeping up with them. I think we need to evaluate what is good for our citizens welfare, not try to out do some other county.

Until I saw John R's photo of the signs, I never saw how big and blank the back of the signs appear.

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They really are an eyesore. I cringe every time I see one!

Garish & jarring to the senses.

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I'm okay with the basic stream-line style, but I think they are too large, and question the color choice of Whatever Blue. They do remind me of signs for bus stops that would have maybe 10 directional signs within the one large sign. To have ordinances limiting signs, I think the signs are an example of the gov't not having to follow its own laws. Reduce the size and change the color.

Congratulations on your first poll posting, Punzy.

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They remind me of a sign in front of a ride at a Theme Park or in front of a park district pool. I am bummed that this is what was chosen. Mainly the size is the problem for me...

Hopefully we will get used to them over time like a couch in a small room that seems overwhelming at first...

Time will tell...

Are they not the same design/color that is at each public beach access along 30-A? Looks like they were just trying to keep some unity.

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Those signs are hideous! I loved the previous wooden signs.... they looked
more in sync with the area. The blue color is blinding and they are too large.

They should have at least went with GREEN... Especially, with this day and
age....recycling...green....Scenic 30-A...... The green would have blended
in more with the roads, bike paths & surrounding signs.... The wooden signs
looked just right and traditional for the area corridor of Scenic 30-A....
old beach style... If new signs were in order, they should have consulted
the locals and given their opinion to what might have looked best...

I know my opinion probably won't matter much since I am only a tourist, but I loved the old signs. I agree with those who said they fit with the character of the area, quaint and charming. The new signs? Quaint? No. Charming? No. Big? Yes. Slick? Yes. Maybe the new signs represent the character of the current 30-A.

I like our polling choices- what a fun poll!

The word "horrid" is an excellent adjective choice, Rapunzel, and I am sure JohnR thanks you for spelling "they're" correctly.

Maybe the new signs are a sign of the times?

Sorry to keep touting here, but I for one want my opinion heard. Those new, giant, blue, monolithic signs need to go! SoWal is not Disney World (see my earlier post).

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Ben

It was also nice to see the old wooden ones did not get shot at from the back of a truck.

These new ones might not be so lucky


I guess they match the recycling bags no one used

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I agree. The first pic. I saw I immediately thought "Disney." So sad. I just can't stand it.

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like Kudzu.

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I use those blue bags. You are right though, they do match the blue on the signs. I agree with a post which mysteriously disappeared. I don't think the signs would stand out as much if they had something like large Palmettos planted at the base. Back to the color, as many mentioned, I agree that the signs would blend in more if they were painted a natural light green green color, even if it was just the back of the signs and the posts.

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Seriously, I agree that something like large Palmettos planted at the base would greatly help the signs not stand out as much.

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The signs are just about as ugly as possible. This is supposed to be West Scenic and/or East Scenic 30-A? Heavens, no wonder we are called the Redneck Riviera! Like the rest of the USA is said to be, they are OBESE (using a little personification here). And we most likely paid not only for the signs but for the disigner(s). Well, maybe the developers are happy: one sign could be removed and used to fill in a wetland. Ah...another condominium. Charles Ellen

Charles Ellen it is good to have you aboard.

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I agree with Kurt and SJ.................
Maybe some native plants at the bottom would help,
otherwise it was a poor choice in size, color, and design.

And yes they do look like something at an amusement park

Or a drive-thru. "Welcome to SoWal. May I take your order?"

Hey,

If anyone wants to be interviewed on their feelings about the new signs, please call me ASAP. I'm on deadline for today, but I'd love to talk to a few locals about there feelings.

Andy Meinen
Reporter
The Northwest Florida Daily News
850.654.6905
andym@nwfdailynews.com

I think Kudzu is a wonderful choice! I'll volunteer to help plant it.

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How 'bout a cutout of Kitty beside it that says you must be THIS tall to enter SoWal?

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...I like it when you get home from school. I wish I could bake you some cookies.

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BRING 'EM ON!!!!*

Actually, I'm not home yet. Just enjoying a few minutes between classes up at Big Girl School. Sadly, I must scurry off to rehearsal...

*oops--didn't mean to yell! I've been here in the computer lab laughing out loud, and the folks around me are asking if I'm okay...I didn't snort, though...

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Saw them for the first time today--

Nothing a beater truck and some well-placed swerving wouldn't take care of...

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