The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) Northwest Florida Chapter is pleased to honor Dave Rauschkolb, owner of Bud and Alley's restaurant in Seaside, Florida, as it's first ever recipient of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Northwest Florida Chapter "Local Hero Award".
      
The event will be held at Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd in Destin, Florida, on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:30pm CDST.
      
The purpose of the award is to identify and recognize a local hospitality or tourism industry individual, group of individuals or organization that has performed acts or accomplishments deserving of community recognition.

This very special event is in conjunction with the weekly "Red, White and Blue Celebration" at HarborWalk Village in Destin during the summer season that honors a local (community) hero and features live entertainment, a WW1 vintage aircraft flyover, and fireworks at dusk over Destin Harbor.
            
The festivities begin with cocktails at 6:30pm CDST on the HarborView Level at Emerald Grande in Destin, Florida.        

FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover will present the award to Mr. Rauschkolb at the HarborWalk Village ampitheatre at 7:00pm CDST.
       
Rauschkolb continuously supports local charities and community causes and has vigorously personally championed the protection of our state's precious natural resources.
      
In 2009 Rauschkolb founded "Hands Across the Sand" (www.handsacrossthesand.org) in Seaside, Florida, to bring attention to the importance of protecting our environment and coastal economies from the expansion of oil drilling into Florida's waters and to compel our State Leaders to embrace clean energy industries.
      
In 2010 & 2011 Hands Across the Sand grew into a national and international event with tens of thousands of participants and world-wide media coverage.  Dave organized the first event in Florida 2 months before the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf.
      
Dave is a long-time FRLA member and supporter. He and Bud & Alley's are hospitality industry icons known all over the U.S. and world by visitors to Seaside and Northwest Florida.  Dave is celebrating Bud & Alley's 25th Anniversary this year in Seaside, Florida.

This event is family-friendly.

FRLA members, their families, children and friends, and media are encouraged and welcome to attend.
      
Attire is summer casual.
      
For more information and to RSVP please contact FRLA Northwest Florida Regional Director Ray Green at rgreen@frla.org or 850-545-5901.
      
We look forward to seeing you.
      
Ray Green
Northwest Florida Regional Director
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
230 South Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301-7710
PO Box 1779, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1779
(850) 224-2250, Ext. 230 - Office
(850) 545-5901 - Mobile
(850) 224-1590 - Fax
rgreen@frla.org
www.frla.org