Bay County’s Waterway Cleanup

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Bay County Waterways (2008)

Bay County has pulled out more than 1.5 million pounds of marine debris from its waterways since Hurricane Michael (2018). Hondo Enterprises is working alongside FWC and the University of Florida IFAS Program to clear the bay of broken-down boats.

Derelict vessels are anything but beneficial. It can damage and destroy shoreline vegetation and seagrasses. Seagrasses are home to about 85% of the marine life the community enjoys fishing and eating. Clearing debris and vessels also impact the real estate values in the area. Bay County counts on clean waterways, boating access, and fishing to fund the local economy.(1)

Amnesty Days in Sneads

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This week, April 6th – 9th (Wed-Sat), are Amnesty Days for Sneads City Limit Residents. This is a free service the town is offering to help citizens clean up their properties and homes. The event will be held at the corner of Third Ave and Old Spanish Trail. It is for Sneads City Limit Residents ONLY. Proof of residence is required so bring an ID, copy of a bill, and/or proof of residence. Please note that the hours for Wednesday – Friday are 7:30am – 5pm CST while the Saturday hours are 8am – 12pm.

Walton County Real Estate Boom

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Real estate continues to be a hot commodity in Walton County as more vacationers and visitors to the area move here full-time in the wake of Covid-19. The area is expanding fast and available housing is rapidly depleting. The public school system is an added bonus for families moving into the area; Walton County offers a high level of education and activities that would normally be indicative of private schools. The 2020 U.S. Census Bureau reported that Walton County’s population is over 75,000. 

Live Art Night in Blountstown

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Main Street Blountstown is looking for artists for their upcoming live art night. There is no age minimum or skill level requirement. If you have artistic ability you are willing to share live, please reach out to Main Street Blountstown via their Facebook group here or posting on the event page here. The Live Art Night will occur on April 1st from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the M&B Railroad Train Depot. The event showcases artists creating art live for your viewing pleasure. Additionally, there will be face painting, a kids chalk night, live music, and local food.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office

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Jackson County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce that they now have a smartphone app. Download it for FREE by searching “Jackson County Sheriff, FL” in your app store. It includes features such as the JCSO mission, Sex Offender and Inmate query, TDC information, news releases, and more.

Capital Craft Fest and Hot Air Balloon!

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The 2022 Capital Craft Fest is coming to the Tallahassee Automobile Museum on April 9th! This is a free event occurring from 10am – 4pm.  A family-friendly event, it will include 75+ local vendors, live music by DJ Felix Flo, and food trucks. Additionally, there will be an Easter egg hunt for the kids and a chance for them to visit with the Easter Bunny (egg hunt time tba). Please note that parking is also free but the event does not include entry to the Automobile Museum.

Additionally, there will be a tethered hot air balloon at the festival. Tickets are limited and going fast, so if you are interested in taking a hot air balloon ride be sure to contact L_Aevents@yahoo.com with haste. Tickets are $20 each; if the weather does not cooperate on the day of the ride, you will be issued a full refund.

National California Strawberry Day Florida Style

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Today is National California Strawberry Day, an annual event that kicks off the strawberry season in California. Luckily, even Floridians can enjoy this national day of celebration by planting Florida-safe strawberry varieties. There are a number of specific varieties that do well in the more humid Florida environment: Calibrate, Camarosa, Florida Belle, Florida 90, Rosa Linda, Sequoia, Sweet Charlie, Strawberry Festival, and Tioga.

While the ideal time to plant strawberries via seed is early fall, it is possible to purchase and plant strawberry starter plants in spring. This is because strawberries require temperatures between 50°F–80°F, and less than 14 hours of daylight. In Florida, these conditions occur throughout the fall, winter, and spring. It is important to make sure the plant has excellent drainage and at least 8 hours of full sun. Strawberries are ready to harvest when three-quarters of the berry’s surface is red. The fruits not only entice local wildlife but also rot quickly, so be sure to harvest regularly once the plant begins producing. 

Learn more about successfully growing strawberries in Florida at the UF | IFAS Extension website here. 

Spring Equinox Celebrations

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Today is the Spring Equinox, an annual date celebrating the arrival of spring. The dawning of spring brings warm, windy days, blooming flowers, and more light. It has been praised for eons around the world in various ways. For instance, in ancient Egypt, the Festival of Isis was held to celebrate the arrival of spring and rebirth via the worship of the goddess Isis. In Iran, the celebration of the coming of spring is called No Ruz which means ‘new day.’ It is a day dedicated to cleaning the house, repairing old items, and bringing in fresh flowers. Ostara is another beautiful spring celebration, often marked by nature worship, rituals, and fulfilling food. 

Worm Moon

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March’s full moon reaches peak illumination at 3:20 A.M. EDT on Friday, March 18th. Known as the Worm Moon, is the last full moon before the spring equinox. In Christianity, this means that the Worm Moon is known as the Lenten Moon as it is the last full moon of winter. There are a number of possible reasons for the moniker ‘Worm Moon.’ One possible explanation is that the moon is named after the appearance of earthworms as the soil warms in the spring. Alternatively, 18th-century explorer Captain Jonathan Carver wrote that the moon name refers to beetle larvae that emerge from thawing tree bark.