An Alys Beach courtyard home won for a major in this year's "American Institute of Architects/Chicago Design Awards" program. Designed by Doug Farr of Chicago's Farr Associates, the 2,400 square-foot home received the AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award for Environmental Sustainability. Some of the winning features were insulated concrete walls, geothermal heating and cooling, a shaded arcade, central courtyard, and shaded outdoor kitchen. MORE

Santa Claus is set to visit Alys Beach on Saturday, December 8th during Alys Beach's annual "Alys in Winter Wonderland" party. The party will be held at Fonville Press and will begin at 3:00 p.m. and last until 6:00 p.m. Guests are invited to decorate holiday cookies, and enjoy hot cocoa and cider before Santa arrives. Guests will also be given the chance to hand deliver their wish lists to Santa. MORE

Fonville Press will begin to host "Trivia Night" parties on select Friday evenings throughout November and December. Each Trivia Night will be hosted by comedian Kevin Boyle of The Seaside Repertory Theater. The fun begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 9th. Fonville Press is a popular Alys Beach coffee shop, newsstand and wine bar. MORE