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From May 2 to May 12, nationally known artists will gather to capture what some believe to be the last vestige of authentic "Old Florida." From the western end of Mexico Beach to the east side of Alligator Point, artists can be seen painting alongside the roads overlooking the Gulf, as well as in out-of-the-way settings. Artists from across the States, as well as international locations, capture images of nature, flora and fauna, and local color in the Plein Air tradition.

Mother Trucker, an on-the-road musical written by David Wayne Reed hits Seaside this Spring.  The story is the eastbound and lowdown tale of a widow, Ruby Lee Jenkins (Meghan Bode), and her son, Teddy Bear (Alan Daugherty), grappling with a new life on the road after the untimely trucking death of her husband.  It is both an homage and parody to the trucker movies of yore. Ruby drives her pink Peterbilt through a landscape dotted with country crooners, sexy hitchhikers, rig jockeys, Johnny Law and Jesus in pursuit of Alabama No-No Juice.

Attention SoWal Beach and animal Lovers: Mark your calendars and help get the word out. 30A Games has announced a one-week long fundraiser to benefit the Alaqua Animal Refuge. Beginning Monday, April 8 and extending through Sunday, April 14, $10 from every MONOPOLY®: Visit South Walton Edition game sold at the 30A Games website or at any of the local retailers will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.
 

Children's Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) names treatment room in its CVHN Dental Clinic in honor of Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF). DCWAF awarded CVHN $179,000 in 2012 and a total of $395,000 since 2008. The funds have been utilized to support two of CVHN's major programs, the CVHN Dental Clinic and the 'Just for Grins' Mobile Dental Clinic, and other projects that help local uninsured and underinsured children gain access to medical, dental and mental health care services.

The Third Annual "It's a Spring Thing" event takes place April 6 from 10am-2pm at the beautiful location of Camp Helen State Park, and is presented by the Department of Environmental Protection, the park and Friends of Camp Helen State Park. The event is a fun, interactive experience that promotes a variety of activities and resources available in Walton County, Bay County and the surrounding areas.

Join our friends at Sirens at the Beach, an upscale lingerie boutique in Grayton Beach, as they host a private trunk show with Michelle Blenkinsopp of Shell Belle Couture. This will mark the designer’s first showing in the United States. The boutique will also be hosting a One Year Anniversary Soiree on that same day, April 18, from 7pm to 8:30pm.

A few of our favorite local SoWal spots just received some well-deserved publicity and a nice boost in notoriety with yesterday's story in the New York Times Travel section.

On Friday, April 5, famous athletes will play in a celebrity golf tournament at Burnt Pine Golf Club at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, voted the #1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Through the Affordable Home Insurance Charities Foundation this event will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

Celebrating its third year, the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) "Top of the Class" exhibition will be on display at Northwest Florida State College-South Walton Campus, from April 5 to May 30. The art exhibition features 35 new, original works by local artists. To launch the exhibit and announce the cash awards, the CAA is hosting an opening reception on Friday April 5 from 5pm - 7pm at the South Walton Campus of Northwest Florida State College.