I'm so excited about this event that is the first I can think of where everyone near the beach that is of like mind on a community issue is coming together outside on the beach at one time.
It is Valentine's Day Eve, 2010 and we're about to make some fine history. Think I'll post my latest photo of the access where I'm going: Eastern Lake. Hope to get video and do a before and after, maybe.
Well, tried jpg and tif and no photo will upload. Sorry.

In anticipation of the inaugural 30A Songwriters Festival coming January 15-17, I will spotlight many of the artists who will be performing throughout the Festival.

Today's spotlight is on...

SHAWN MULLINS

I had the opportunity to hear Shawn live for the first time in Atlanta in August at one of my favorite music venues, Eddie's Attic. He was extremely kind and told me he was excited to be a part of this Festival.

Shawn is most famous for his super hit, "Lullaby." Here is a clip from You Tube I just found of Shawn's performance...


...at Eddie's the night I was there. He talks about the story behind the song and his inspiration for his songs, which are real people.

One of my favorite songs by Shawn is "Gulf of Mexico," which I heard he wrote at another festival just a few hours from here, the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival.

"...then I hear a voice from
my soul's core sayin "freedom's just a
metaphor, you got nowhere to go"
and the rain pours down like a
holy waterfall over the gulf of mexico
over the gulf of mexico." - lyrics from "Gulf of Mexico"

You can hear "Gulf of Mexico" on 30A Radio.org or on the dial at 107.1. You can also hear a live interview with Shawn in which he talks about...

Final Day of Bay Green Expo, Staurday, May 16, 2009!


THE BAY GREEN EXPO & THE FRIENDS OF ST. ANDREW BAY

The final event of the Thirty Days of Green is the Bay Green Expo on May 16 at Gulf Coast Community College. During this event, local businesses, non–profits, public agencies, and service organizations will display their services, products and knowledge to help the public live a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.

Throughout the event, classrooms at GCCC’s Student Union East will host a rich array of speakers presenting on such topics as Coastal Ecology; New Urbanism; The Water Efficient Landscape; The Natural Capital of Bay County; and, Solar and You, among others. This event is free and open to thepublic. “This is a great event for the whole family,” said Mike Brim, “and it is free!” There will be free drawings for rain barrels and additional items.

The Bay Green Expo will run from 9am-4 pm at Gulf Coast Community College in the Student Union East Conference Center.

For more information, call Carl Roberts at 850-381-8015, Jeff Allen, 850-625-3061 or The Friends of St.
Andrew Bay, 850-215-5590. Visit the website at www.baygreenexpo.com

Lots of summer activities available for kids



Local area clubs, camps and recreation facilities are offering summer programs for children. Below is a list of organizations and programs available this summer in the Walton County area. Several activities in Destin are listed below as well.
In addition, the United Way’s 2009 Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook offers a complete listing from Okaloosa to Walton for children ages 4 – 18. For more information, or to download the complete area guide go to: www.united-way.org and look on the front page under 2009 Summer Fun Guidebook.
Walton County area

Walton County Extension Office – Summer Fun 4 Kids Program
Kids in the Kitchen
Time: 9:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m.
Children will learn basic nutrition, meal planning, kitchen and food safety, etiquette and basic cooking skills. During a field trip to a local grocery store, children will learn about smart food shopping. Children will prepare a meal on the final day for special adult guests. Bring a sack lunch.
Limit: 10 children. Ages 12 and up ONLY
June 10-12 Extension Office, DeFuniak Springs
(June 10th starts at 12:30 p.m.)
June 16-18 Flowersview Community Center
June 23-25 Emerald Coast Middle School
Outdoor Adventures Time
...

Margo Pelligrino arrived in Apalachicola May 12.

Margo Pelligrino scheduled to arrive at Sandestin May 15

Note: Walton Outdoors will post Margo’s arrival time at Sandestin when confirmed

Margo Pelligrino is a wife and mother of two from New Jersey with an important message to share.

Margo arrived in Apalachicola on May 12 on her way to New Orleans on her Eastern Outrigger canoe, paddling more than 1,000 miles in support of the Healthy Oceans Act.

Margo is collecting S.O.S. messages from residents who want to urge their representatives to protect, preserve and restore our oceans for future generations. Her goal is to build support for a Healthy Oceans Act, and steps to protect our oceans from global warming and ocean acidification.

Working with the National Resources Defense Council, and the last leg of the journey with the Gulf Restoration Network, Margo hopes to make a difference.

“We have gotten so use to decline, it isn’t shocking any more,” Margo stated when talking about the deterioration of our waterways.

“We are ruining the fabric, pulling out one thread at a time,” Margo said sadly.

But Margo believes society can make the necessary changes and stop future pollution.

The evidence of decline in Florida waterways was apparent...