March is National Music in Our Schools Month (MIOS), a time to celebrate the importance of music education in our schools and to recognize the incredible dedication of our music teachers! Teacher giving music lessons at school This event was established by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) more than 30 years ago, and its goal is to raise awareness for the importance of music education for all children. This year’s theme is “music is all of us”, with an aim to highlight how music is everywhere in our lives and has a unique way of bringing us together and giving everyone a place to belong. You can find out more on their website: https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/ This month is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the amazing music teachers in our schools and their endless dedication to teaching music to our children. Over the years, our public schools have spent time and resources growing music programs including: music rooms, chorus, band programs in middle and high schools, purchasing of instruments and supplies, auditoriums, and forming a team of certified, encouraging, and enthusiastic music educators. We are especially thankful for our earlier music teachers who were the pioneers of music education and made sure that the children had the opportunity to learn, listen, and experience music. We wouldn’t be where we are today without them. One of the highlights of this month is National Marching Band Day on March 4th, which celebrates the “marching arts” like drum corps. Marching bands are... Read More

  By Maurice Stouse,  As we head into March, we are seeing some early trends or patterns for investors. First among these are short term interest rates. The Federal Reserve raised rates to 4.75% in early February. That was .25% smaller rate increase than their previous meeting. We are seeing short term savings rates and CDs yielding at or near this level as well. Investors are left wondering if rates will continue to climb. The Federal Reserve is keeping a close watch on inflation which, after the February report, sees prices as going sideways for now (as opposed to continuing to go down). Digging deep into those numbers we see that goods are down to 3% and wages are now growing at 4.3%. The cost of services continues to keep resilience in the face of inflation.  Wages may continue to wane as the white-collar labor force is seen as over employed and the same for many blue-collar professions. Restaurant and hospitality businesses continue to be seen as under employed. There has been a lot of news about layoffs in the tech sector. While significant those workers account for less than 2% of the workforce. Many of those returning to the workforce also see being productive and industrious – a key to a happy and fulfilled life. We are also learning more about the Great Unretirement or the growth of the so called “unretiring”. Many Americans who retired during the pandemic are coming back to work. That is a sign of... Read More

  Carolina Coastal Interiors (CCI), a centerpiece of High Point, North Carolina – “The Furniture Capital of the World,” has opened a new branch store in Santa Rosa Beach. Located next door to VKI Steakhouse along Highway 98 west in the The Landings Shopping Plaza, CCI is owned and operated by Jay Hughes and Kenny Stevens, life-long friends from High Point. Both Jay and Kenny’s families have been in the furniture business for generations and have built a well-deserved reputation for excellence and integrity. “We are a furniture and flooring store dedicated to bringing the best quality products and prices to Santa Rosa Beach,” Jay said. “We offer a great selection of furniture and home decor all curated with coastal inspiration in mind.” 1 of 6 Interior Living Room Wall Mockup – 3d Rendering, 3d Illustration In addition, their multi-location business gives the company a bulk buying price advantage. As a matter of fact, ”just give us a chance, we can guarantee our customers the best deal on the Emerald Coast.” The company is especially proud to display the distinctive “Made in the USA label” on everything in the store, including  a large assortment of LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank). If you’re in the market for flooring or furniture come out to Carolina Coastal and take advantage of their bulk factory direct buying during their grand opening celebration all February long! There’s plenty of parking in front of the store, so come out and see for yourself what  “made in the... Read More

  Ever find yourself feeling like life is happening to you and you have no control? Maybe a person did something that was unfair or hurtful. Maybe a storm disrupted your home or event. Maybe airlines canceled your flight. Maybe a health condition is making your life difficult. Living life inevitably results in discomfort. It can often feel like things are being done to you and you are a victim of people, your environment, or conditions you can’t control. Human nature extends us a tempting invitation to see ourselves as victims because victimhood lets us off the hook for taking responsibility for what we can control and casts the blame onto someone or something else. For a moment, embracing victimhood can feel comforting because it keeps you from having to self-reflect or take meaningful action toward change. However, in the long-term, victimhood ends up creating helplessness, hopelessness, bitterness, and resentment. In reality, life throws curve balls and there are many things outside our control. But, even when the curve balls come, there is a helpful alternative to seeing yourself as a victim. Regardless of what is happening in your environment, you have been granted the gift of self-control. When someone does something unkind and when hard things happen, you have a choice about how you will respond. You can slide into victimhood, blame others, feel helpless, harbor resentment. Or, you can acknowledge the pain of your situation and then shift toward using your self-control to decide how you’re going to... Read More

  OLLI at FSU, PC30A began in 2019 with a vision to bring intellectually stimulating university oriented adult learning educational opportunities to the residents of the 30A corridor. Several longtime residents of the area approached FSU PC to discuss options. FSU Tallahassee already had an active OLLI group, and graciously extended the OLLI option to the FSU PC campus. What is OLLI? The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute supports 125 Osher campus organizations across the United States. Bernard Osher, an active and engaging 96-year-old, began the institute in 2001. OLLI exists to actively engage seasoned adults in lifelong learning, social interaction, and community building. The OLLI at FSU PC30A group is dedicated to building a program that offers opportunities to learn, socialize, and enhance the community through courses and an active speaker series. It is a structured organization, with semester or year-long memberships available. A membership opens up not just courses and programming locally, but also provides access to the courses offered through the FSU Tallahassee campus. Learning is delivered in person, hybrid, or fully online, depending on the subject and instructor. The instructors are in many cases experts in field or university level professors. The current Spring Semester includes 10 courses offered locally as well as 50+ courses from the Tallahassee campus. Fall Semester for 2023 promises even more offerings. Call Margaret Walters Gamble, OLLI at FSU PC30A Learning Coordinator at 850-532-7841 for more information. Follow the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OLLIatFSUPC30A/ to keep up with current news and activities. The post... Read More

  The 11th Annual Paddle at the Park is moving its location and date! This standup paddle board race will take place in the Gulf of Mexico behind The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island on Saturday, May 6, 2023. It features 1- and 3-mile recreational races, a 6-mile elite race and a kids’ fun out-and-back paddle. The weekend fun begins on Friday, May 5, with a Racer Welcome Party at Al’s Beach Club at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. It continues on Saturday morning with the races, which have staggered start times, beginning at 9 a.m. Racers and spectators alike will enjoy the festive atmosphere with displays and booths set up along the beach. The event will conclude with awards. Registration is now open at https://paddleguru.com/races/11thAnnualPaddleatthePark. Find all race details at PaddleAtThePark.com or follow Facebook.com/PaddleAtThePark. Thank you to our race partners BOTE and The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island; title sponsor HCA Florida Destin Emergency; platinum sponsor Destin – Fort Walton Beach; and accommodations sponsors The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach and SummerPlace Inn! The post Paddle at The Park Coming May 6 appeared first on South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information.   Read More

  With many years of parking and traffic studies and an entire season of hourly parking, we will continue our pay-by-the-hour parking structure for the 2023 season. As families and friends plan to vacation in SEASIDE® this year, we anticipate a bustling town center, filled with award-winning shopping and dining, enjoyed by those staying in Seaside and other 30A communities. Whether you’re driving in for the day, planning to bike into town for the afternoon, or catching our complimentary shuttle, there’s an easy way for everyone to get to Seaside. After numerous parking and traffic studies, input from well-renowned parking consultants, and  three implementations of various paid parking methods, the pay-by-the-hour rate structure launched in 2022 offered the most flexibility and ease of use for our guests. Beginning March 1, the hourly paid parking program will be in effect. Parking rates will vary by day, occupancy levels, and events. This allows us to maintain proper vacancy levels so visitors have available parking to use and ensures that the parking is most efficiently managed. Similar to last year, the paid parking experience will have guests park their vehicle on Smolian Circle. Upon arrival, you will notice signs placed around Smolian Circle letting you know what zone you have parked in. Input your license plate number and payment information, then head into Seaside to enjoy your day! We encourage visitors to download The Passport Parking app in advance for a simple parking experience. The Passport Parking App can be downloaded here. The... Read More

  South Walton Fire District (SWFD) responded to a fatal water rescue incident near Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access on Saturday at approximately 1:56 p.m. The original 9-1-1 caller reported to SWFD Dispatchers that multiple swimmers were in distress near 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive. SWFD’s Surf 5 lifeguard responded to the caller’s location, then entered the water and made contact with several swimmers who were approximately 150 yards offshore. These swimmers stated a male of approximately 20 years of age was in distress and then submerged. They said they had lost sight of the individual and had been searching for them while lifeguards were enroute. At that time, two more lifeguards and SWFD Advanced Life Support arrived on-scene. The lifeguard signaled back to shore of a “Code X” at 2:04 p.m., which initiated the search for a missing swimmer. The three lifeguards began searching in a pattern to the east based on the direction of the current and located the victim at 2:16 p.m. Lifeguards then brought the victim back to shore, where the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. Single red flags were flying at the time the incident occurred, which indicate high surf hazards and the presence of dangerous rip currents. SWFD would like to remind the public that the 2023 Beach Safety Season will begin on Wednesday, March 1, with the staffing of lifeguard towers and full-scale beach safety operations. Until that date, lifeguards are patrolling 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day in accordance with... Read More

  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