What's Happening, July 18

BLOOD DRIVES: The Northwest Florida Blood Center announces the following North Okaloosa blood drives:
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Baker - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Call 862-4216 for details.

WILLIAMS 89th BIRTHDAY/REUNION: Saturday at 11 a.m. at 971 Lighthouse Church Road, Holt. The event will celebrate the 89th birthday of Sarah D. Williams, and include an outdoor luncheon. Family and friends are invited to attend; please bring a covered dish. Details: Barbara at 682-1459.

RED CROSS CLASSES: Standard First Aid w/CPR - Adult, Infant and Child - July 26.
CPR - Child and Infant (only) - July 18.
Standard First Aid with CPR/AED - Adult, Infant and Child - July 19.
CPR -Adult, Infant and Child - July 22 & 24.
CPR/AED - Adult - July 24.
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.

DORCAS VBS: Dorcas Baptist Church at 5880 McCallum Road in Crestview is hosting Vacation Bible School from July 21-25 for children in grades K-5. You do not have to be a member of the church to attend.
Times are 6-8:30 p.m. nightly, with Family Night on Friday, June 25.
Details: Mrs. Debbie Bowden, 682-2301, or Rev. David Van Zandt at 682-4958.

CABLETHON: Tune in to local Cox Channel 6 from 8 p.m. today through 8 p.m. Saturday for the 36th annual Cox Communications Cablethon benefiting Covenant Hospice.
The 24-hour broadcast will feature live music by local entertainers. Multiple call-in auctions with items such as vacation getaways, golf packages, artwork and jewelry will run throughout the event.
Proceeds benefit the special programs of Covenant Hospice a not-for-profit organization that serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. In 2007, the organization provided over $1.6 million in services to uninsured or underinsured patients.

FLORIDA TRAIL ACTIVITIES: Saturday at 8 a.m. Float trip on Blackwater River. Details (850) 932-0125. Also on July 19: Volunteers needed for 8 a.m. trail maintenance on Eglin reservation. Details (850) 341-1389.
Tuesday, July 22 at 6 pm. Monthly meeting at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Details: 682-6098.
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.

HOBO FESTIVAL UPDATE: A yard sale/fish fry is being held Saturday, with setup at 6 a.m. and continuing from 9 - 3 p.m. across the street from the 1905 Gallery in Laurel Hill on U.S. Highway 85. Cost is $10 a booth and $8 to rent a table.
Artists, craftsmen and vendors interested in selling their work are needed for the Laurel Hill Hobo Festival on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 to 5 p.m. Interested persons should call Theresa at 826-0606 to obtain an application. Organizers expect all spaces to be filled by late August.
Corporate sponsors are needed as well for the festival, which will be held this fall. The entertainment schedule includes Cheyenne, Rowdy Friends, Perfect Illusion, Fred Astaire dance studio, Crestview High School dance team and other performers.
Call 652-3660 or 826-0606 for details on the raffle and yard sale or to use a credit card.

DONATIONS NEEDED:
For the fourth annual Gulf Coast Wings of Hope yard sale fundraiser planned today through Saturday at the Pensacola Fairgrounds. The group raises funds for local families of children with blood and cancer diseases. Accepted donations include everything from furniture and electronics to books and children’s clothing. (No adult clothing please.) For drop-off and pick up information, call (850) 941-4009.
Volunteers are also needed to help with setup, and will be given a special opportunity to shop before the event opens to the public.
Details: (850) 941-4009 or visit www.wingsofhopeinc.org online.