What's Happening: community events
NORTH OKALOOSA
OKALOOSA COUNTY BUDGET MEETINGS: Crestview meetings are held in the Okaloosa County Courthouse at 101 E. James Lee Blvd. in Crestview. Dates and times are: July 15 at 6 p.m.; Aug. 3 at 1 p.m.; Sept. 21 public hearing at 6 p.m.
Fort Walton Beach meetings are held in the Water and Sewer Building's large conference room on the third floor at 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd. Dates and times are: July 20 at 1 p.m.; July 27 at 8:30 a.m.; Aug. 10, 6 p.m.; Sept. 9 public hearing at 6 p.m.
Agendas are available at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us.
CHRISTIAN COALITION MEETING: Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m. at Garden City Baptist Church on State Road 85, about 4 miles north of Crestview High School. Admission is free; everyone is invited to attend.
YMCA PARTICIPATING IN SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM: The Crestview Family YMCA is participating in the free summer food program for children ages 18 and younger. Free breakfast (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and lunch (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.) are being served at the YMCA at 298 N. Wilson Street in Crestview through July 30. Call 689-2999 for details.
TU FINANCIAL AID: Troy University will host a Financial Aid 101 seminar Wednesday, July 21 at 12 p.m. at the Crestview site in the Southside Center. The focus of this seminar will be n helping students understand the financial aid process, know what types of aid are available, and how to apply for it. The seminar will last about 35 minutes and light refreshments will be available. Seating is limited; please RSVP to 306-2395 or e-mail crestview@troy.edu by July 14 to reserve your seat.
TOASTMASTERS: The Crestview Toastmasters club meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 6-7 p.m. at Lundy & Bowers, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview. Details: Kathy Morrow, 865-6993.
BLOOD DRIVES: The Northwest Florida Blood Center is hosting the blood drives listed below in North Okaloosa County:
July 14, Woodlawn Baptist Church, 824 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
July 18, First United Methodist Church, 599 8th Avenue Crestview, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
July 31, No Child without Health Care Fair, 502 McDonald Street, Crestview, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
RED CROSS CLASSES: Current classes in North Okaloosa County are listed below. Call 1-800-773-7620 ext. 0 or visit www.yourredcross.org to register. The Crestview Red Cross office is located at 4100 S. Ferdon Blvd, Suite A.
First Aid with CPR/AED-Adult & Child and CPR-Infant: July 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Crestview.
CPR/AED-Adult: July 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Crestview.
TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE: Okaloosa $aves' Teach Children to Save program continues now through July 31. Any child or youth 18 or younger who sets a savings goal and makes one or more deposits into a saving account (existing or new account) is eligible to win a $100 savings bond, 689-5850.
BOOK DONATIONS: The Friends of the Crestview Library are asking for donations of used books - and movies on VHS and DVD - for the book sale in October.
Books and movies will be accepted at the library, which is located off State Road 85 behind the post office. All types of hardbound and paperback books are needed, but not magazines.
AFTER HOURS NETWORKING Thursday, July 15 at the Crestview Public Library.
Bring your business cards for some networking fun from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Food provided by the Friends of the Crestview Library. Music provided by Dennis Mitchell, Troy University. Door prizes provided by Cooper’s Fine Jewelry, First National Bank, and Premier Community Bank. Choice of free paperback book to the first 100 guests.
The library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive behind the post office and next to the Crestview Community Center and Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce in north Crestview. Call 682-4432 for details.
HOSPICE TRAINING: Hospice volunteer training will be held on July 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Crestview. Lunch will be provided.
Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to making patient visits or weekly phone calls. Volunteering just a few hours a month makes an incredible impact. To learn more about volunteering or to inquire about hospice services please call 689-0300.
FOSTER FAMILIES CAR WASHES: Foster Families of America, located at 113 Main St. in Crestview, is washing cars for donations Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The washes support family fun outdoor activities.
BIRTHING CENTER CELEBRATION: On Aug. 8, the Milton Memorial Birthing Center in Flowersview will celebrate it's 34th anniversary at the town's community center. It starts with dinner at 2 p.m., and will be followed at 4 p.m. by a musical program featuring the talents of children born there. The public is invited to attend. Call 834-2946 for details.
MISCELLANEOUS
VENDORS FOR CHRISTMAS IN JULY: The Fort Walton Beach Creative Senior Center is currently accepting vendor applications for its annual Christmas in July Craft Show and Bake Sale Saturday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors can rent eight-foot tables for $20 per table. The show features holiday décor, gifts, baked items, jewelry, toys, and other unique items. Door prizes will be given away all day, and special lunch items will be available for sale.
The center is located at 31 Memorial Pkwy SW in Fort Walton Beach, between Highway 98 and Hollywood Boulevard. For details or an application, call 833-9587.
HISTORY ROCKS!: The Heritage Museum at 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso is hosting History Rocks! For students in grades 1-5. Each program costs $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. For reservations, call 678-2615.
Gadget Gurus is for kids who'd like to be inventors. They will learn about people who have accomplished great things. This event is Wednesday, July 21 from 9 a .m. to 12 p.m.
Cracker Shack teaches about the early settlers of Florida, who grew up in log cabins, cracker shacks and shotgun houses. Learn about them, and then build your own pioneer house the way Florida settlers did in the 1800s. Will yours stay standing? The date for this is Thursday, July 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Time Travelers: Decide what year and what place you would love to visit as a time traveler. Who would you like to see? If you could ask them one question, what would it be? The date for this event is Friday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 2p.m.
WESTWOOD WEDNESDAYS: The topic for the Wednesday, July 28 lunch series is "Funny Bone," with featured speaker William Marshall M.D. The complimentary light luncheon lasts from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Limited seating is available; contact Billie at 863-5174 or bchappell@brookdaleliving.com by July 23. Westwood Retirement Resort is located at 1001 Mar Walt Drive in Fort Walton Beach.
BEAD RECYCLING: The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce is offering a way for all parade goers to “go green” by recycling parade beads after the recent Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade. Take them to the chamber, and they’ll give you a vintage Bowlegs T-shirt or another chosen goodie (one item for a minimum donation of 25 strands). That will keep the beads out of closets, drawers, and the local landfill, and they’ll have another chance to bring joy to local parade goers.
Take your clean, reusable beads to 34 Miracle Strip Parkway, SE, Fort Walton Beach.
GET RID OF YOUR OLD RIDE: If you would like to donate your old automobile as part of your summer cleanup, Boys and Girls Club would be happy to accept it. Funds from its sale will contribute to the program, which helps children in the program. Donations are tax deductible. To donate, call 800-246-0493.
HURLBURT TOASTMASTERS: If your goal in 2010 is to grow professionally, Hurlburt Toastmasters club can help you achieve it. The group meets Wednesdays from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. in Classroom L of the Hurlburt Field Education Center (Building 90220) Membership is an investment that can pay off in career advancement.
STRICTLY WEAVERS MEETINGS: are held once a month by the Strictly Weavers Guild of the Emerald Coast. For exact meeting location and more information please call Alice (934-4403) or Betsy (678-1926), or send an e-mail to strictlyweavers@yahoo.com. Anyone interested in the art of weaving handwoven fabric is invited to attend.
The July 24, 10 a.m. meeting will be held in Niceville on "M's and O's" weaving structure.
UW OIL SPILL FUND: United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties has started a Gulf Oil Spill Fund to help local families affected by this disaster.
To make a donation, go to www.united-way.org or mail your contribution to 112 Tupelo Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
PLANT CLINICS: Okaloosa County Horticulture Extension Agent Larry Williams will hold a series of plant clinics on the fourth Wednesday of each month (July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at the Extension Annex Building, 127 Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach. Residents may bring plant problems for identification or diagnosis. Williams and Okaloosa County Master Gardeners will provide information to solve gardening problems.
Details: 689-5850 or 729-1400 extension 5850.
FLORIDA TRAIL SCHEDULE: Visit http://choctaw.floridatrail.org for details on the group’s upcoming events.
The July 26, 5:30 p.m. full moon beach hike has been cancelled.
Saturday, July 17 at 10 a.m. Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip in Santa Rosa County. Details: 623-1646 .
Sunday, July 18 at 8 a.m. Volunteers needed for trail maintenance in the Yellow River Ravines. Details: 474-5359.
Saturday, July 24, 8 a.m. float trip on Juniper Creek in Santa Rosa County. Bring your canoe or kayak. Details: 484-9111.
Tuesday, July 27, 6 p.m. monthly meeting at Bayou Blues Restaurant in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Details: 682-6098.
Saturday, July 31, 8 a.m. hike from Karick Lake to the Wire Grass Trail. Details: 623-1646.
ADVENTURE CLUB: For details on club activities, call Clarice Hebinck at 581-4591 or e-mail her at freklz100@cox.net.
Thursday, July 15, 8 a.m. bike ride in the Sandestin Resort/Subdivision, east of Destin. Meet at the Bayside Tennis Courts. Late breakfast/early lunch at a nearby restaurant. Honcho: Chuck and Carol Dujsik, 269-0556.
Saturday, July 17, 10 a.m. kayak/canoe trip on the Shoal River, east of Crestview. Meet at the boat ramp where U.S. Highway 90 crosses over the river, about four miles east of Crestview. This will be the put-in spot. A caravan will be formed to the take-out spot at Wayside Park, on State 85, south of Crestview. Bring lots of drinking water and a picnic lunch. Honcho: Bruce Blackwelder, 301-9452. Please let Bruce know if you plan to go on this activity.
ONGOING
RESOURCES ADDRESS STUTTERING: Stuttering is a frustrating and embarrassing problem for millions of people. Help is available at most public libraries in the form of DVDs and books. If you are interested in checking one out and your library doesn’t have it, ask them to contact the Stuttering Foundation for a complimentary copy.
"Stuttering and Your Child: Help for Parents, Straight Talk for Teens," "Stuttering: For Kids By Kids," "Self Therapy for the Stutterer, and If You Stutter: Advice for Adults" are some of the titles available, with several also available in Spanish.
More than three million Americans stutter, yet stuttering remains misunderstood by most people," said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. "Myths such as believing people who stutter are less intelligent or suffer from psychological problems still persist despite research refuting these erroneous beliefs."
Books and DVDs produced by the non-profit Stuttering Foundation are available free of charge to any public library. Visit your library for information about stuttering for children, parents, teens, adults, teachers, and employers; call 1-800-992-9392, e-mail info@stutteringhelp.org, or visit at www.stutteringhelp.org and www.tartamudez.org.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY REQUEST: Habitat for Humanity is seeking lots in the Crestview area to be donated on behalf of families in need of housing. Please call 758-0779 or 315-0025 for details.
FLORIDA KIDCARE: Paula Jackson, of Families Count, is offering assistance to local residents who want to register their children for Florida KidCare insurance. Walk-ins are now accepted every second and fourth Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jobs Plus on Wilson Street in Crestview. Please bring proof of income and Social Security numbers for every member of your household. Contact phone: 530-2621.
CRESTVIEW DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: Members meet the first Monday of each month from September through May. Anyone interested in learning more about gardening is invited to visit or join. Please call 682-2691 or 682-3639.
WEIGHT WATCHERS meets every Thursday at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 424 Garden Street, Crestview. Registration and weigh in begin at 5 p.m.; meeting follows.
CRESTVIEW LIBRARY: The Crestview public library at 1445 Commerce Drive in Crestview (682-4432) is hosting the following activities:
• One-on-one beginning skills computer tutoring. The one-hour sessions are especially helpful for senior citizens who want to learn how to use the Internet and e-mail. Appointments are available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Visit the library or call to schedule your appointment. A current library card is required.
SOUP KITCHEN HOURS: In addition to being open Mondays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd.; and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church, 400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Community of Christ Church at 398 W. First Ave. in Crestview is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come enjoy a free meal and friendly company, or come meet the staff and sign up to help. All are welcome and appreciated.
In addition, the YMCA on Wilson St. in Crestview now offers showers for homeless people Monday and Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This service is provided through Opportunity Inc.
Immanuel church members are in need of bikes, which they repair and issue to the homeless. Please call 423-0711 if you can assist with this service.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SEEKING MENTORS: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is looking for adult volunteers who would enjoy spending at least two hours every week mentoring a child. The mentors pick up their little brother or little sister at their home and spend a couple of hours doing activities such as going to the library, museum or park, going to the beach, hiking, roller skating or playing a sport.
Interested volunteers should contact Big Brothers Big Sisters for an interview at 664-5437.
SENIOR CENTER MUSIC AND MORE: The Crestview Senior Activity Center at Old Spanish Trail Park invites seniors to join an afternoon of music from 1 to 4 p.m. every Friday. Bring your keyboard, guitar or other musical instrument. Fun is the keyword. Card and bingo days also available. For details call Estelle at 682-8230.
BINGO: The Crestview Knights of Columbus has quarter and regular bingo every Tuesday. The quarterly games run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and the regular games run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The K of C hall is located at 701 James Lee Boulevard, Crestview.
CRISIS HOTLINE/RAPE CRISIS CENTER: by Bridgeway provides free confidential crisis intervention, certified Rape Crisis Center services, on-site intake and evaluation, suicide prevention and crisis stabilization. They also provide free services and advocacy to victims of violent crime 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The center also assists victims of sexual assault with the information and personal advocacy they need, whether or not they chose to report the crime.
Call anytime, day or night. There is help available. Don’t give up. Make the call to 682-0101 or 244-9191.
LIVING WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS: Every year, approximately 600,000 Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis undergo knee replacement surgery. When all other options for treating severe osteoarthritis of the knee have been exhausted, artificial knee joints offer a solution with a high rate of success. To prepare for this major operation, and learn how to protect the new joint and keep it intact for years to come, the American Arthritis Society has compiled 12 useful and practical tips for self-care and made them available on its website. Developed with the help of some of the world’s leading knee surgeons, each tip is easy to follow and can be helpful in preparing for your operation. They can be viewed online at www.americanarthritis.org.
NOARC MEETINGS: The North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club regular monthly meeting is at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday night of each month. The club meets at the Dorcas Fire Station #42, about seven miles east of Crestview, on Deer Creek Road about half a block north of US 90. Club information is available on the group website at www.w4aaz.org. Details: Bob Walker, 537-9456.
VA TOLL FREE SUICIDE HOT LINE: VA’s Suicide Hot Line number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
HERITAGE CRAFT CLASSES: The Heritage Museum keeps traditional handcrafts alive through the popular and ongoing Heritage Craft Series. Call 678-2615 to pre-register or for more information. Pre-registration is required for all classes.
CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Financial assistance for childcare is now available through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties for eligible low-income families who need help paying for child care. Call Child Care Services at 833-9330 or 833-9333 for income eligibility and appointments.
HERITAGE MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS: Use your talent, skills and creativity to benefit the community and help preserve local history.
Volunteer training is available in all areas of museum operations including: exhibit tours, meet and greet, special events and archives. For details on the volunteer opportunities, contact Carol Visalpatara at 678-2615 or at cvisalpatara@co.okaloosa.fl.us.
YMCA VOLUNTEERS are needed to invest their time and skills in North Okaloosa YMCA. If you have a service to offer, time to volunteer, or would like additional information, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Susan Goff at 682-8635.
EMERALD COAST HOSPICE: Adult and teen volunteers are needed. Volunteers serve in different ways to assist both the patient and the entire family. Several methods of volunteering are available, including working directly with patients, clerical, fundraising, bereavement and public relations opportunities. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689-0300.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: If you are pregnant and concerned about alcohol and drugs, free and confidential help is available. All pregnant women are eligible for priority substance abuse treatment services.
WISE is a program of the Community Drug and Alcohol Council. For details, call 689-4024 in Crestview.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters needs volunteers to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel in the event of any natural or manmade disaster affecting Okaloosa County.
Okaloosa County Public Safety will open the EOC, located at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Shalimar, when a disaster occurs. There will be a need for data entry volunteers. For details, please contact Yvonne Earle at 863-1530, extension 230.
BAKER BLOCK MUSEUM: is a good source for local history, artifacts, photos, and a good selection of area newspapers.
Hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the third Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with special tours available upon request. For details, call the museum at 537-5714, Jeanette Henderson at 537-4401, or e-mail bakermuseum@aol.com.
DAV NEEDS VOLUNTEER DRIVERS: Volunteers are needed to drive the DAV van, which takes veterans to their appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola. You would only drive two days per month. For further information, contact the local Veterans Service Office at 601-A North Pearl St., or call 689-5922.
SHELTER HOUSE: It costs more than $100 a day to shelter a victim of domestic violence. For details on how you can help, call 683-0845.
