What's Happening, July 24

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY: July 25 at 4 p.m. at Duggan Pond subdivision on Live Oak Church Road in Crestview. RE/MAX and other businesses are hosting the free community event, which includes food, fun and hot air balloon rides for everyone. Details: Marie House (850-305-0559) or Lori Zimmerman (850-259-4339).

FREE SENIOR ADULT FINANCIAL WORKSHOP: There will be a free educational workshop for retirees on Monday, July 28 at 1 p.m. at the Robert Sikes Public Library in Crestview.
Nationally known speaker Brad Bradford will present topics including: how to avoid nursing home spend-down; mistakes that IRA owners make; learning options to get a higher interest rate on investments; find out if your money is safe with your bank.
This free meeting is open to the public; booklets will be provided. For more information, call 582-0633.

SHELTER WORKERS WANTED: The Red Cross recruitment drive will be held Saturday, July 26 at New Beginnings Church in Crestview. They are seeking to train volunteers to staff hurricane shelters if a storm threatens our area. This is an opportunity for you to make a real difference in lives of your neighbors and the community.
The church is located at 412 W. James Lee Blvd. on U.S. Highway 90.
Orientations will be held at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Volunteers should plan to stay two hours to complete volunteer registration, shelter assignment, and a shelter operations workshop.
To register or for details, visit www.yourredcross.org or call 800-773-7620.

RED CROSS CLASSES: Standard First Aid w/CPR - Adult, Infant and Child - July 26.
Okaloosa CPR / AED for the Professional Rescuer - July 26.
Lay Responder for First Aid & CPR/AED Instructor Course - July 28-31.
Call 1-800-773-7620 to register for all classes or visit www.yourredcross.org.
Babysitter Boot Camp, July 24, 25 & 26, for ages 11-15. Certification in Babysitter's Training, First Aid and Infant & Child CPR, Pet First Aid and Disaster Preparedness. Lunch provided each day. Cost is $145; Get a 5 percent discount by mentioning the Safety Training e-mail from the ARC. Register by calling 1-(800) 773-7620 or by visiting www.yourredcross.org.

USDA FOOD GIVEAWAY: Saturday, July 26 at 10 a.m. at New Beginnings Church, 412 West James Lee Boulevard, Crestview. Details: contact Jimmy Smith at 689-2988. New Beginnings Church is an equal opportunity provider.

LYNDSEY JOHNSON CONCERT: To celebrate her success and the support of this community, Lyndsey Johnson will be giving a recital on Sunday, July 27 at 3 p.m. at Tyler Recital Hall located at the Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center on OWC Niceville Campus. There will be no ticket charge, but donations will be accepted. Details: (850) 951-5384.

FLORIDA TRAIL ACTIVITIES: Saturday, July 26 at 8 a.m., annual Summer Sweat Hike. This tough endurance hike of 7.8 miles will be in the Titi section with a partial hike or bail out point at 3.7 miles. Details: 862-9633.
Visit http://choctaw.floridatrail.org for details on any of these events.

PAWS JULY 31 WORKSHOP: A staff workshop is scheduled for July 31 at 6 p.m. to discuss recent audit findings concerning the animal control contract with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society. The workshop will be held in the commission conference room (3rd floor) at 1804 Lewis Turner Boulevard in Ft. Walton Beach. The public is invited to attend.
PAWS is audited annually by a certified accountant firm which provides a copy of that audit to the county. The County Clerk of Court’s office recently began a thorough internal audit of PAWS’ operations and processes, including the handling of fines and fees, to insure that all laws and statutes are followed. Suggestions for improved processes will likely be a result of this audit as well.
Details: www.okaloosafl.com or call 651-7105 or 689-5007. PAWS may be contacted at 243-1525.

JULY 25 MEDIA FOR RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: at Santa Rosa Mall will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 300 Mary Esther Blvd. It is designed to alleviate summer blood shortages, especially during hurricane season.
This month, all presenting volunteer donors at a Red Cross blood drive or donor center will be entered into a regional drawing for a $1,000 gas card as part of the “Save a Life and See America” promotion. All presenting volunteer donors at the Media for Red Cross drive will also receive a Red Cross t-shirt, a Red Cross ball cap, a Santa Rosa Mall beach bag and two weeks of free tanning from Club Sun. They will also be entered into a drawing for a free month of tanning at Club Sun.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.

ADVENTURE CLUB: Thursday, 24 July, 5 p.m. Bike ride on Okaloosa Island. Meet at Marler Park. Directions in a later e-mail. Supper at a nearby restaurant. Honcho: Clarice Hebinck (581-4591).
Sunday, 27 July, 9 a.m. Bike ride in the Naval Point area of Pensacola. Meet in the parking lot of the Food World grocery store at 4051 Barrancas Ave. Lunch afterward at a nearby restaurant. Honcho: Bob Sauer (cell 850-377-0171) and Bobbi Serpico (cell 850-499-4404).
Tuesday, 29 July, 5 p.m. Bike ride on Pensacola Beach and after the ride enjoy the free Bands on the Beach concert. Bring a folding chair and picnic supper. Honcho: Clarice Hebinck (581-4591)
Thursday, 31 July, 5 p.m. Vaparaiso bike ride. Meet at the strip mall at the intersection of John Sims Parkway and U.S. Highway 85. Dollar General Store and Beall’s Outlet are in this strip mall. Supper afterwards at a nearby restaurant. Honcho: Maria Bayes (897-6756).
For more details on club activities, call Clarice Hebinck at (850) 581-4591.

HOLLARN AT FWB LIBRARY: The Fort Walton Beach Public Library welcomes Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, Pat Hollarn for “Voting Information 101.” Join the library for this free, informative program on Tuesday, July 29 at 6:30 pm in the library meeting room. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the election process followed by a Q&A session. For more information, call the library at 833-9590.
The library is located at 185 Miracle Strip Parkway, in downtown Fort Walton Beach at the corner of Eglin Parkway. Parking is on First Street to the North and Ferry Road to the East.