South Walton county, Florida & Scenic Hwy 30A - SouthWaltonScene.com™

Beach Driving Permit Lottery and Dogs on the Beach Ordinance Update

The Board of Walton County Commissioners recently revised the “Beach Driving” and “Dogs on the Beach” Ordinances, to designate the Clerk of Courts Office as the issuing authority for which to purchase the Permits.

Read full information on Beach Driving HERE.

Application can be made for Beach Driving, Boat Launch, and Dogs on the Beach Permits at either branch office of the Walton County Clerk of Courts. Several requirements must be met to obtain a Permit.

Lottery Applications for Beach Driving will be accepted by the County Administration Office from April 1st to May 10th. Selection will be held on Monday, May 16th and applicants will be notified of the results. Those selected in the lottery may purchase permits from the Clerk’s office beginning June 1st.

You can download the Beach Permit Lottery Application from the website at www.co.walton.fl.us; from the home page click the tab to the left “Beach Permit Lottery Application”.  Applications may also be picked up at the South Walton Courthouse Annex in the Planning Department.

If you have any questions, please contact Dede Hinote, Admin Srvs Coord/RMLO, (850)892-8155, hindede@co.walton.fl.us.

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From the BEACH Scene - Santa Clara Beach Access in Seagrove Beach Opens

The Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) has completed the Santa Clara overflow parking project and opened it to the public.

Location of beach access MAP

The new parking location is located in Seagrove Beach at the corner of Highway 30A and Bramble Grove. The added parking was needed to accommodate more beachgoers during the busy spring and summer tourist seasons.

The project, designed by Wilson Miller Engineering and contracted to Chandler Construction, consisted of storm water improvements, adding 35 parking spaces, a new cross walk with signage on 30A and installing a curb and gutter system.

Tax Collector’s Office Now Accepting "Dog On The Beach" Permit Applications and Renewals Online

Walton County property owners and full-time residents interested in renewing or applying for a Dog On the Beach Permit for their pooch can now do so without leaving home. Both new applicants and those renewing current permits can complete their transactions online HERE.

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Learn about obtaining a Driving On the Beach Permit HERE.

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“We’re pleased to have this service available to customers with greater convenience,” said Walton County Tax Collector Rhonda Skipper. “My office is regularly looking for opportunities to utilize technology for the benefit of our customers and I think we have certainly achieved it with the online Dog On the Beach applications and renewals.”

The Walton County Tax Collector serves as an agent for the Board of County Commissioners in the issuance of Dog On the Beach Permits. Permits are only available to Walton County property owners and/or full-time residents.

Dogs are only allowed on Walton County beaches from 3:00 PM to 9:00 AM during Standard Time and 4:00 PM to 8:00 AM during Daylight Savings Time. Permitted dogs are required to be on a leash at all times while on the beach.  The cost of the permit is $30 annually. All permits expire on August 1 of each year with a grace period until August 15.

For more information on Dog On the Beach Permits or other services provided by the Walton County Tax Collector’s Office, please visit waltontaxcollector.com or contact the office at (850) 892-8121.

Check it Out! Community Garden Coming to South Walton; Book signing with bestselling author Jack Riggs; Fine Jeweler Gurhan Trunk Show

Community Garden Coming to South Walton County The Good Samaritan Institute of South Walton is proud to help sponsor a Community Garden in South Walton County located in Santa Rosa Beach, close to their facility on Hwy 393 North [MAP].  The garden will include individual plots, a common garden area, and a dedicated children's gardening section.

Organizers are hosting a meeting to assess general interest and to make plans for the garden on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the Good Samaritan Institute at 900 Hwy 393 North, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. [MAP]

The Good Samaritan Institute is a non-profit 501C-3 organization whose goal is advancing science education and whose vision is to assist science education at all levels from elementary school up to post-doctoral level.  Call 850-622-8150 for more information or email Nikki Lindsey at Nikki@bestinscience.com

McCaskill & Company to Host Gurhan Trunk Show October 8–9 Gurhan Orhan will highlight some of his finest work on October 8–9, 2010 from 10AM to 5:30PM at McCaskill & Company in Miramar Beach [MAP]

Acclaimed for his creations of contemporary fine jewelry, Gurhan uses the richness and warmth of 24K gold to construct top-selling collections in the luxury jewelry sector.  The list of celebrities donning Gurhan’s artistry include notable names such as Sandra Bullock, Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, Faith Hill, Jennifer Lopez, and Queen Rania of Jordan.

“Gurhan Orhan is one of the most talented artists in the fine jewelry industry,” Bill Campbell, owner of McCaskill & Company, said. “The texture and design of his 24K gold jewelry is what makes his style so coveted, and the time he spends on each piece is evident in the precise detail he incorporates. This is our first chance to host a Gurhan show, and we are excited to be the only company within 300 miles to showcase this award-winning designer.”

Write by the Water Retreats to Host Book Signing with Jack Riggs at Sundog Books October 17 Bestselling author Jack Riggs will be at Sundog Books in Seaside [MAP] Sunday, October 17 from 1-3PM for a discussion and book-signing for his books When the Finch Rises and The Fireman's Wife.

Joining Riggs are several select writers who will be attending the Write by the Water writer's retreat in Santa Rosa Beach.  Complimentary snacks and wine will be served.  For more information, contact Gwen Morrisson or Linda Sands at retreats@writebythewater.com.

Beaches of South Walton Hosts 25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup Day September 25!

The award-winning Beaches of South Walton are recognized as some of the cleanest most admired beaches in the nation.  To ensure that the beaches remain pristine, the community is invited to join the worldwide effort to clean the coast during International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 25 from 8AM - 10AM.

Coastal Cleanup is an international program sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy engaging people to remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches and waterways, to identify the sources of debris and catalog, and to change the behaviors that cause pollution.  Locally sponsored by the Walton County Tourist Development Council (WCTDC) and Walton County Schools this program encourages stewardship of the county’s precious coastal area.

Home to some of the world’s most beautiful and admired beaches, Walton County is dedicating five main clean-up sites to this effort, with staging areas at Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access, Dune Allen Regional Beach Access, Blue Mountain Regional Beach Access, Ed Walline Regional Beach Access and Inlet Beach Regional Beach Access.  Complimentary clean-up supplies, water and Coastal Cleanup T-shirts will be provided at each access.  In partnership with the Florida State Parks, a sixth site has been added at Topsail Hill State Preserve. Volunteers are invited to park at the day use parking lot and ride the tram to the beach (parking fees have been waived for those participating in the clean up).

For 25 years, the debris collected during Coastal Cleanup has been cataloged and sent to the Ocean Conservancy to produce the world’s only annual country-by-country, state-by-state index of the problem of marine debris.  During last year’s clean-up, more than 500,000 volunteers joined their communities to clean up local beaches, lakes and rivers, while removing and tallying more than 7.4 million pounds of debris in 108 countries and 45 U.S. states, and the District of Columbia.

For more information, contact Rae Ellis at the TDC at (850) 267-4578 or sign-up at http://www.signuptocleanup.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Projects.Main.

Mark your calendar! SWCC's 9th Annual Back to Nature Festival October 15, 16 & 17

With summer winding down, the South Walton Community Council wants you to find your way “Back to Nature” this October 15 - 17, 2010.

“The South Walton Community Council (SWCC) hosts the festival to inspire people to join us in our mission to preserve and protect the extraordinary natural resources of our area,” said Chandra Hartman, program chair of this year’s event. “Our diversity extends far beyond the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico to  include the Choctawhatchee River and Bay, several rare coastal dune lakes, a state forest full of trails, and four unique state parks.”
 
During the weekend, there will be a variety of programs offered, allowing participants to experience the many unique natural aspects of Beaches of South Walton.  From learning to YOLO to mountain bike trail rides to excursions which will excite and inform, these programs will be the perfect way for individuals to get in touch with what this area has to offer.  There will also be opportunities for participants to track animals and relaxing walks through places like historic Point Washington.  Each event is led by local experts who guide participants and help them understand the ecology and special features of local natural and historic areas.

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[details at a glance]

What: 9th Annual Back To Nature Festival sponsored by the SWCC

When: Friday - Sunday, October 15 - 17, 2010

Where: Various locations throughout South Walton county, Florida

Weekend Schedule of events: HERE

Tickets/Registration: Visit www.southwaltoncc.org or call (850) 314-3749

Questions? (850) 314-3749

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The 9th Annual Back to Nature Festival will kick off on Friday night, October 15, with an opening night party at Bud & Alley’s, with events going throughout the weekend including on Saturday, October 16, when the SWCC will feature Family Fun Day in the Seaside Amphitheater. This central location will be the site of a fun filled day of family activities including kid-friendly workshops, demonstrations, informational booths, live music, films, and events.

All proceeds from the event go directly to benefit the SWCC, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Santa Rosa Beach whose mission is to "preserve, protect and enhance the quality o life and natural environment of South Walton County."

For more information on the Back to Nature Festival, including event registration, visit www.southwaltoncc.org or call (850) 314-3749.  Also, visit the festival’s page on Facebook for up to date information. The Back to Nature Festival is part of Autumn Tides, a series of fall events held in Beaches of South Walton.

Florida Department of Health Establishes Long-Term Oil Impact Health Advisory Gudiance for Counties

TALLAHASSEE – In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Gulf coast impacted counties has established new long-term criteria for the issuance and rescission of health advisories due to the oil spill that impacted Florida’s northwest coast. This replaces earlier guidance, developed to provide visitors health information when visiting Florida’s beaches.

“This guidance offers county health departments and our partners along northwest Florida’s beautiful coastline specific criteria to aid in long-term decision-making to notice or rescind health advisories related to an oil spill,” said State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H. “The Florida Department of Health remains committed to providing the best information to our residents and visitors, so they can make the appropriate health decisions for themselves and their families.”

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Learn, share and connect with over 6,410 other concerned citizens on our official
Oil Spill and South Walton county/Scenic Hwy 30A Facebook Page. 

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Following the successful “capping” and “killing” of the oil well in July, DOH, in coordination with the DEP and impacted counties revised guidance for the future issuance and rescission of health advisories for impacts of oil products on northwest Florida’s beaches.

The guidance gives counties with Oil Impact Notices currently in place and those that may consider health advisories in the future the science-supported criteria, based on two levels of potential impacts:

• Tier 1 - visual presence of extensive oil (oil mousse, oil sheen that cannot be easily avoided, tar balls too numerous to avoid or water quality sampling data that exceeds established human health thresholds levels for chemicals of concern).

If beach conditions meet Tier 1 triggers, DOH, in coordination with local officials may decide to issue health advisories urging residents and visitors to not enter waters or public bathing areas that pose significant health threats

• Tier 2 - visual presence of oil (patches of oil mousse, oil sheen and/or tar balls in quantities easily avoided or water quality sampling data below established human health threshold levels for chemicals of concern).

If beach conditions meet Tier 2 triggers, DOH, in coordination with local officials, will issue appropriate public health messages and no health advisory posting will be recommended.

Counties may coordinate rescission of advisories if there are seven days of no visual presence of extensive oil (oil mousse, oil sheen that cannot be easily avoided, or tar balls too numerous to avoid), water quality sampling data that shows chemical levels are below established human health exposure thresholds, and a visual inspection of the sand shows no health risk.

Visit www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com to learn more about Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon incident, or follow www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert.

Mark Your Calendars! Clean Water Wine & Dine happening August 5 at studio b in Alys Beach

[click image to enlarge]

The Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter announces details of the Clean Water Wine & Dine event on Thursday, August 5th at Studio b. in Alys Beach beginning at 6:30pm. 

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Details at a glance:

When: Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 630PM

Where: studio b at Alys Beach, Florida [MAP]

Cost: $50

Tickets: purchase at www.ticketbud.com or 850.225.1747.  Tickets MUST be purchased before August 3 to attend.

Questions? 850.225.1747

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Special guest Jim Moriarty, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation will be in attendance at the event designed to bring concerned locals together to learn more about the current efforts by the Emerald Coast Surfrider Chapter to ensure the safety of the Gulf of Mexico and area waters. Tickets to the event are $50 per person and can be purchased at www.ticketbud.com or by calling 850.225.1747.  RSVP by Tuesday, August 3rd is required for entry.

“The Clean Water Wine & Dine event was created to address the concerns of our community as to the safety of our waters and also to provide a forum to educate and interact regarding this very important issue,” explained Mike Sturdivant, Chairman of the Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter.  “We are so honored that Jim Moriarty, who leads Surfrider's international environmental efforts, has chosen to visit South Walton.  As are most of us, Jim is gravely concerned regarding the safety of our gulf waters since the oil disaster.  We are grateful to Colleen Duffley and her staff at Studio b. in Alys Beach for graciously donating the use of their beautiful venue.”

Discussions will include the importance of timely and accurate water testing, the need for public education regarding the dangers of oil dispersants and how to contribute to Surfrider’s efforts to secure grants and to raise funds for continued testing.

Coastal fare will be provided by local chef and Surfrider member Phillip McDonald of Table Five.  Additional donations to Surfrider for water testing are greatly appreciated and can be made online at  www.surfrideremeraldcoast.org.

Walton County TDC announces it's "Be Beaches of South Walton" campaign

The Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) is proud to announce its national campaign, “Be Beaches of South Walton” in order to overcome the negative effects of the Deepwater Oil Spill. The 30-second television ad and radio segments are part of a 90-day marketing campaign. The ads are being funded by the $1.35 million grant from BP and directed to Walton County by Governor Charlie Crist.

“This campaign has a long-term strategy and approach and asks the consumer, “What will you Be in Beaches of South Walton?,” said Loretta Shaffer, TDC’s director of marketing and internet. “With all the different activities that our area has to offer; there is truly something for everyone.”

The campaign invites viewers to “Be Inspired” while at a photography, culinary or art class at Studio b., to “Be Adventurous” while YOLO boarding, to “Be Daring” while riding the zip line in the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

The ads are currently airing on CNN, Fox News, The Weather Channel and several other stations. Radio spots are also being aired in top markets as well as new emerging markets including Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston and Nashville.

The spots provide a glimpse into what is possible in Beaches of South Walton and further highlight that the beaches and communities are open for enjoyment. The campaign is a collaborate effort between the TDC and its creative partners, including Colleen Duffley, founder and director of Studio b and Mark Feinberg, owner of Fine Productions.

“Colleen’s involvement in the creative process as we quickly worked to showcase the art, cultural, natural attractions of this area was invaluable,” said Shaffer. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Colleen as a creative partner, spokesperson and brand ambassador for Beaches of South Walton.”

Duffley, after 25 years of shooting people, places and things around the world, started her “Plan B,” Studio b. While her work graces the covers and pages of national and international magazines and ad campaigns, she chose to move to Beaches of South Walton several years ago and open her businesses including Colleen Duffley Productions, Colleen Duffley Photography and Studio b.

"I am thrilled and excited that Beaches of South Walton has elected to adopt a brand that complements my vision and branding of Studio b. for the beaches promotional campaign,” said Duffley. “As an artist, businesswoman and homeowner, I am proud that the new ad campaign will help the beaches that I so love!”

Pic from HERE

The Day After - Join the 2010 Beach Clean Up Day on Monday, July 5th!

Locals and {beloved} visitors enjoy relaxing and vacationing in Beaches of South Walton, especially over holiday weekends. And as history has taught us, each year the Fourth of July celebrations leave the area’s Blue Wave Certified beaches littered with trash and firework debris. To help with the cleanup after the revelry, the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and South Walton Community Council (SWCC) invite everyone to help clean up the area’s beaches on July 5th from 8-10am.

The annual “Beach Cleanup” will be staged at the following beach accesses (see info about them here): Blue Mountain Beach Access, Dune Allen Beach Access, Ed Walline Beach Access, Grayton Beach Access, Seagrove Beach Access, Miramar Beach Access (on the western side of Pompano Joe's), Van Ness Butler Jr. Beach Access (between Seaside and WaterColor), and Inlet Beach Access. Bags, gloves and bottled water will be provided at each location.

Let's all be good stewards and participate!  For more information on volunteering contact Bill Schultz, 850-231-0947, saait@aol.com.

Locals and {beloved} visitors enjoy relaxing and vacationing in Beaches of South Walton, especially over holiday weekends. And as history has taught us, each year the Fourth of July celebrations leave the area’s Blue Wave Certified beaches littered with trash and firework debris. To help with the cleanup after the revelry, the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and South Walton Community Council (SWCC) invite everyone to help clean up the area’s beaches on July 5th from 8-10am.

The annual “Beach Cleanup” will be staged at the following beach accesses (see info about them here): Blue Mountain Beach Access, Dune Allen Beach Access, Ed Walline Beach Access, Grayton Beach Access, Seagrove Beach Access, Miramar Beach Access (on the western side of Pompano Joe's), Van Ness Butler Jr. Beach Access (between Seaside and WaterColor), and Inlet Beach Access. Bags, gloves and bottled water will be provided at each location.

Let's all be good stewards and participate!  For more information on volunteering contact Bill Schultz, 850-231-0947, saait@aol.com.