Education

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is proud to award six Walton County teachers more than $3000 in teacher mini-grants and need-based grants for the third quarter of 2012. Teachers are awarded funds based on their application for specific arts project(s) and how the lesson will support the Florida Sunshine Standards, among other considerations. The program provides teachers needed funds to purchase supplies to enhance art in the classroom.
 

To meet the growing needs of breast cancer patients and survivors in our community, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast hosts a monthly breast cancer support group. The group’s next meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Olson Women’s Diagnostic Center at Sacred Heart.

In the past, some folks loved to set up a camp on the beach for a week on South Walton beaches and leave all of their stuff so they wouldn't have to lug it back and forth every day. A couple of years ago the county put their foot (feets) down and said, "no more". Thus the "Leave No Trace" program was begun.

It’s sea turtle nesting season in Florida and in South Walton we're having an incredible year with over 100 nests, shattering the previous record of 58. Thanks to the consistent efforts of South Walton Turtle Watch, our small group of dedicated volunteers is making a difference in the survival of several species of sea turtles.

Most of the adult turtles have nested, and babies are hatching all up and down our beaches right now. It's one of the miracles of nature we are so privileged to witness in our SoWal paradise!

Whether seaweed is present on the beach or not is on one of the most frequently asked questions on the SoWal Forum for folks coming to visit. Here's a little info about seaweed from our partner, the South Walton TDC.
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Seaweed can be an issue along our beaches during certain times of the year. Though June is historically the month of greatest seaweed deposits, there is no way to predict when it will wash ashore in larger quantities or how long it will last.

Bam! You can't get more fresh or local than pulling veggies right out of the ground and in to the pan at the new outdoor kitchen at the Seaside Neighborhood School's Corner Garden. Chef Emeril Lagasse was on hand to break in the brand-new burners and grill as part of the school's mentoring program.

Lagasse has a foundation dedicated to helping deserving kids get fed, and helping school kids get a healthy and nutritional meal. One school where he has made his mark increased their grade scores from the 50s to the 80s thanks to better nutrition and parent involvement.

Well, its that time of year again!  "Children of all ages... time to disconnect from your I-pad, I-pod, Xbox, Playstation, PC, DVD, TV and smartphone and CATCH SOME FISH!!!" 

The 6th Annual Grayton Beach Kids Fishing Tournament will be held this Saturday, May 12th beginning at 8am sharp!

Here are the SoWal Junior Lifeguard Program details from the South Walton Fire Department's Beach Safety Division. For the 5th consecutive year the popular SWFD Junior Lifeguard Program will be under the supervision of Gary Wise, South Walton Fire District Beach Safety Director assisted by the South Walton Fire District Professional Lifeguards.

We're committed to helping our visitors and locals stay safe while enjoying our beautiful beaches. Here are some tips to help keep you safe at the beach.

Never swim alone, always swim at beaches with lifeguards! Talk with a lifeguard before entering the water. Lifeguards are familiar with the beach and can tell you about conditions. 

Know how to swim and know your limitations! Swimming in a pool is NOT the same as swimming at a beach with crashing waves, winds and currents that can change suddenly.

While standing in waist-deep water off a beach in South Walton County, one where no lifeguard was on duty and no flags warned me of danger, a RIP CURRENT whisked me out to sea, tumbling me over and over like a washing machine. Because of training I had received as a Scuba diver, I was aware of what was happening to me and able to extricate myself from the danger. Having had this terrifying experience twenty years ago, I was happy to be invited to observe a week of lifeguard training in South Walton County and write this story.