Stinky’s Fish Camp will host the 13th Annual Pompano Tournament kickoff party and their 16th Anniversary celebration on April 1st at Stinky’s Bait Shack. The fishing tournament will be held from April 2-30, 2023. The Stinky’s Pompano Tournament is the longest running fishing tournament in Walton County. The tournament registers over 150 participants – ranging from recreational fisher folks to professionals – locals and visitors alike. The tournament spans over the course of four weeks, allowing visitors to register even if they only catch one pompano while visiting the Beaches of South Walton. “Our Pompano Tournament makes for an easy competition to participate in because of the access. This is a surf fishing tournament at its finest, and thankfully we have an amazing surf fishing setting. Almost anyone can participate; You only need to catch one fish to win,” said Chef Jim Richard, tournament originator and Stinky’s owner. The purse for the annual tournament has grown exponentially over the years. In 2022, the anglers were awarded over $5000 in cash and prizes. All participants are invited to register online at www.stinkysbaitshop.com starting March 3, 2023. The tournament kickoff party also serves as an anniversary party for Stinky’s Fish Camp. This year, Stinky’s Fish camp celebrates 16 years of serving 30A. The annual event is always a fun party for all who love Stinky’s. The outdoor event features live music by Dread Clampitt, a crawfish boil, pig roast for picking, and a delicious over-sized birthday cake to share with friends... Read More

  According to the US Census Bureau in their 2021 Annual Community Survey, there are well over 2.64 million second homes in the United States. These are seasonal, recreational, or occasional use homes. These homes are sometimes left unoccupied for extended periods of time, making them vulnerable to undiscovered damage, like water and mold, infestations, and even criminal activity. Home Watch is a risk mitigation service that visits unoccupied homes to provide a presence and real-time reports, with pictures and videos, to the homeowner. The National Home Watch Association (NHWA) was founded in 2009 to establish insurance requirements, best practices, policies and procedures, as well as ethics for this new service industry not yet officially recognized by any federal, provincial, or municipal government in the US or Canada. NHWA Founder and Executive Director, Jack Luber, shares this: “Well over two percent of all homes in the US are secondary homes. They represent trillions of dollars in real estate that goes unchecked unless the homeowner employs a Home Watch professional. With an increase of severe weather across the continent, along with hurricanes and tropical storms wreaking havoc on unoccupied homes, insurance providers are suffering tremendous losses and becoming insolvent. Home Watch is a risk mitigation service that may reduce the number of claims and losses involving second homes.” To raise awareness of the Home Watch service industry, the NHWA is announcing that March 2023 will be the first National Home Watch Month. The post The National Home Watch Association announces the... Read More

  Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is a one-of-a-kind projection art festival where artists from across the globe use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach, and it returns for its 16th Sometimes referred to as “Photon Bombing,” “Guerilla Projection” or “Urban Projection,” underground artists around the globe have been using the latest design, animation and projection technologies for many years to cast dynamic images onto skyscrapers and other urban structures as a means of artistic expression. Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is a festival geared towards bringing these artists together in one place to celebrate and showcase their unique talents. Each year, the festival attracts digital artists, filmmakers, musicians, interactive designers, photographers, VJs, producers, celebrities, agency executives and fans of art, technology and architecture. Thousands of dollars in cash prizes are awarded to artists, with digital submissions being received from as far away as Israel, Austria, Canada, Germany, London, India, France, Italy and China. Staged against the elegant white walls of Alys Beach, Digital Graffiti provides a large-scale blank canvas for artists to explore the visual intersection of art and architecture. The engagement between the art, architecture, and audience is transformative, creating an immersive and interactive art projection experience that is entirely unique to the Digital Graffiti festival, named as one of the top “24 Unconventional Art Destinations Around the World” by National Geographic. Artists, designers, photographers, and architects are invited to submit their artwork to be projected under... Read More

  Alaqua Animal Refuge is pleased to announce the formal opening of their new, one-of-a-kind facility, located at 155 Dugas Way, and invites the community to celebrate the momentous occasion with a month-long celebration of events titled “Celebrate! Alaqua” beginning March 4. As the Southeast’s premier 501(c)3 refuge and sanctuary, Alaqua believes that every abused, neglected, and homeless animal deserves a second chance. Originally located on 10 acres in Freeport, the new 100-acre facility will allow Alaqua to continue to do the important work of animal rescue and rehabilitation, as well as be an educational and training center for animal welfare advocates as a place that will inspire, empower, and educate others to make change in society and recreate the model worldwide. “We are so happy to finally be in our permanent home,” said Alaqua Founder Laurie Hood. “We have welcomed the animals to their new sanctuary and now we want to welcome our community to come see what their love, fundraising, and support throughout the years has built. After eight years of creating this space, we invite everyone to come ‘Celebrate Alaqua’ and honor this momentous move for our organization.” During the month of March, Alaqua will host a featured event every Saturday, kicking off with the highly anticipated Seventh Annual 100 Point and Cult Wine Dinner on Saturday, March 4. The sold-out, exclusive evening will offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience as they will be the first to dine in Alaqua’s permanent home. The elegant affair begins with a... Read More

  La Luna Children’s Boutique, located in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, will host a Spring Fashion Show and Tea Party with the Easter Bunny, presented by Spears Group and Emerald Coast Magazine, on Saturday, April 1 from 3-5 p.m. benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast. The festive spring event will take place on Grand Boulevard’s North Lawn and kick off at 3 p.m. with a kid’s fashion show, sponsored by John Lee Nissan. Models will have the opportunity to shop the boutique’s latest spring and summer styles to showcase on the runway, sponsored by Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®. La Luna is currently seeking both male and female models, ages 1-14. Those interested in participating should email karoline.kellogg@gmail.com to learn more. Following the fashion show, guests will be whisked away to a Tea Party, sponsored by Vacayzen. Attendees will enjoy sips of fresh juice and tea along with light bites from Charcuterie by Shelli and Kilwins. Kids can also dance to music from the live DJ or take part in the free Easter-themed arts and crafts activities. The Easter Bunny will make a special arrival during the tea party and take photos with children and families throughout the afternoon, courtesy of Meltdown 30A. La Luna will also be raffling off several items for guests to enter to win, including a pair of Krewe sunglasses, a dinner for four at Tommy Bahama, a La Luna gift basket and gift card, as well as one-night stays at the Courtyard... Read More

  By Margaret Morrison, Walton County Master Gardener Ah, springtime! When many have the desire to do something about getting into gardening. The thought of growing some food for your own table becomes a thought brought to mind from many prompts we see in newspaper articles about healthy eating, healthy living, and the importance of exercise and sunlight in our lives.* Community gardens are one venue to explore, especially when you may not have the space or the permission to plant your own garden plot. What you may not know is that an opportunity for you to join in this worthwhile adventure exists here in Walton County, ready and waiting for you. Cultivate Community Gardens was established as a Section 501(c)(3) organization in 2017. It was initially the dream of Tracy Whealy Miller, a Walton County resident coming here from a background making her well versed in the advantages of growing your own food. Tracy grew up in Iowa in a family dedicated to preserving and sharing seeds. Her parents went on to found the Seed Savers Exchange, a source of high- quality seeds well known and respected in gardening circles. What she realized is that many people would like to have an opportunity to work a plot to grow items that were personally known to be GMO-free, and grown to organic standards to benefit the health of their families. Having a garden plot perhaps would allow people to grow some types of special heirloom or culturally important foods for... Read More

  The Bobby J real estate team has announced its participation as a founding member of eXp Luxury Group 30A, the first-ever real estate cooperative in the area. The team is excited to launch this groundbreaking concept and leverage eXp’s innovative technology and multiple income streams to thrive in a constantly evolving market. According to Bobby Johnson, a veteran agent and member of the Bobby J team, eXp is the future of the real estate model, offering high-tech solutions and unparalleled opportunities for income growth and retention. “The recent release of the luxury division was an easy decision for us, and we are thrilled to be part of this game-changing platform,” Johnson said. As a member of eXp Luxury Group 30A, the Bobby J team will have access to a range of cutting-edge tools and resources, including a cloud-based platform for virtual meetings and training, a global network of top-performing agents, and innovative marketing strategies to reach luxury buyers and sellers. “We believe that eXp is the perfect partner for us as we continue to deliver exceptional service and results to our clients,” said Johnson. “We are excited to join forces with other top real estate professionals in the area to create a cooperative model that benefits everyone involved.” Uptown Grayton will be the location of the Luxury Group 30A office, the 5th such  eXp Luxury Branch opened in the United States. This collaborative community of real estate professionals share the same vision and values and are excited to be... Read More

  FRIDAYS WITH FRIENDS – March 10th and 24th from 10 AM – Noon Each “Fridays with Friends” program will be open from 10 AM until noon.  Coastal Seniors will welcome members, who are 50 years and older, to our office to participate in activities, such as: card games, board games, ping pong, bingo, art classes, exercise classes, etc.  If you are interested in any of these activities, please let us know so that our volunteers can prepare. You can contact us by calling 850-280-5342, or by sending an email to: coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com. ART CLASSES – Karen Peterson will teach CSSW members Beginner Watercolor Painting on Tuesdays in March (7th, 14th,   21st and 28th) 9am-Noon. Cost is $20. Sign up by calling 850-280-5342, or by sending an email to: coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com.  You will take home a completed painting at the end of each class. MONTHLY MEETING – AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAYING THE UKULELE  – Friday, Mar. 17th from 11:00 AM – 1 PM.  CSSW member, Jeff Ragland, will be our teacher and introduce us to playing this fun instrument. A light lunch will be provided. Sign up by calling 850-280-5342, or by sending an email to: coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com. PICKLEBALL – Beginner Pickleball 101 at Walton Sports Complex courts – Dates to be determined. Email Sandra Gulak at sowalpickleball@gmail.com for more information and to register. Open to Walton County residents only.  Also, please join us at the Boys and Girls Club (located behind the Coastal Branch Library) for indoor pickleball on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and... Read More