Community Happenings 2-18

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Modern Bridal Expo

The Modern Bridal Expo will be held from 12:30-4 p.m. Feb. 19 at Sandestin’s Baytowne Conference Center, giving brides the opportunity to experience a day full of designer wedding trend ideas, vendors and destination wedding experts.

Town Hall meeting

Rep. Steve Southerland, II will host a free town hall meeting from 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Destin City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. The public is welcome.

Job fair

The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties and its JobsPlus One-Stop Career Centers will host the 2012 Spring Seasonal Hiring Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. The job fair is free and individuals from students to seniors are invited.

Candidate forum

The Okaloosa County Republican Club will host a forum for judicial candidates at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at the American Legion Hall, 105 Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach. The candidates will discuss their qualifications to serve as judges in our area. Reservations accepted through Feb. 21 at 609-1179 or 651-5049. The price of the dinner is $10.

Pill take back

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has set up a program that allows the public to drop off unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs during regular business hours Monday through Friday at the Destin substation on Stahlman Avenue.

JobsPlus Mobile stops

Stops for the JobsPlus One-Stop Centers will be held at the Destin Library from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third Thursday of every month. Jobseekers will be able to register in the EmployFlorida Marketplace database enabling them to search and apply for open positions and apply for unemployment compensation.

Cooking class

Shelter House presents Carrabba's Italian Grill Cooking Class from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 24 at Carrabba’s in Silver Sands Factory Stores. The $40 registration includes a glass of wine and recipes to take home. Seating is limited. Call 243-1201.

Craft class

Green Earth Living Craft Class Series are held from 10 a.m. to noon inside the Indian Temple Mound Museum’s Lazarus Education room in Fort Walton Beach. Advanced registration and payment by cash or check is required at 833-9595 or email jlamott@fwb.org. Materials are included.

 • Feb. 25: Crocheted Rug Making, $25/public and $20/Friends of the Museum.

Social

A Survivor & Caregiver Social for Relay for Life will be held from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 26 at Buster’s Bar and Grill, 125 Poinciana Blvd. Enjoy and evening of food, fun, music and prizes. RSVP to carrollr@walton.k12.fl.us or call 687-0283.

National Pancake Day

IHOP invites guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP’s signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 28. In return, guests are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to support the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital or another local charity. 

Seminar

Arbor Wealth Management, a “Fee-Only” Registered Investment Advisory Firm, will host a complimentary “Income Generation Seminar” at 10 a.m. Feb. 29 in the Arbor Wealth Conference Room on U. S. 98 in the Tops’l Commercial Center. Firm founder and principal Margaret R. McDowell, ChFC, AIF, will lead a Power Point presentation on how utilizing dividends from stocks and coupon payments from bonds within a portfolio can create systematic, periodic income for investors.  Strategies are most appropriate for clients with $250,000 or more to invest.  Refreshments will be served.  RSVP at 608-6121.

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

• March 1: Monthly meeting features “Living with Florida Black Bears” at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Services Center, Room 132 (SSC 132) of the Niceville Campus of Northwest Florida State College. Call 582-7064.

 • March 17: Bird walk around the Bluewater Bay and Lake Pippin areas.  Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Bluewater Bay Winn-Dixie on State Road 20. Call 582-7064

 • March 24: Bird Walk at the Okaloosa Landfill and Fort Walton Holding Ponds in Wright. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Coach and 4 Restaurant on N. Lewis Turner Boulevard. Call 305-359-5334.

Cooking class

Ruth’s Secrets Revealed will be held from 12-2 p.m. March 3 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Destin. Cost is $50/person. Make reservations at 337-5108.

Ramp Day

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1-4 will conduct free Vessel Safety Checks beginning at 6 a.m. March 3 at Joe’s Bayou boat ramp in Destin. Vessels that pass receive a 2012 VSC decal to display on-board.  Vessels that do not pass are provided a list of recommended items for correction.  For more information, email ryanjohnj@hotmail.com or call 623-980-8782.     

America’s Boating Course

A 5-week public boating course, America’s Boating Course 3, will be conducted from 6:30-9 p.m. on Monday nights beginning March 5 at the Anchorage building, 404 Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach. Tuition is free, with a $45 charge for materials.

The course covers safe boat handling, good seamanship, rules of the road, aids to navigation and piloting, tips about local waters, and more. Call 863-0874.

Weather course

A 7-week Weather Course will be conducted from 6:30-9 p.m. on Wednesday nights, beginning March 7, at the Anchorage building, 404 Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach. Tuition is free, but there is a $65 charge for materials. Call 863-0874.

Training symposium

The Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Society of Military Comptrollers and the Northwest Florida Chapter of the National Contract Management Association will host this annual training event March 8 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island. More than 14 workshops and a CDFM test site are included. Cost is $110. Register at www.gulfcoastasmc.org/rpds/.

Cooking demo

The Fresh Market’s Fresh Flavors Cooking Demo, featuring Provencal Chicken Crepes with Hollandaise Sauce and Decadent Chocolate Strawberry Crepes, will be held from 1-4 p.m. March 10 at the Fresh Market in Destin, 4495 Commons Drive West. The event is free.

Spring Wild Camp

A spring break camp for grades 1-6 will be held March 12-16, March 19-23, March 26-30 and April 2-6 at HarborWalk Village in Destin. Presented by the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, the camps include wildlife encounters, Marine education and wildlife fun, and beach activities, including seashell collecting and sandcastle making. Cost is $150 a week, with family discounts available. To register, call 650-1880 or email sleveille@ecwildliferefuge.com.

Metaphysical Festival

More than 50 vendors, psychics, readers, healers and guest speakers will be at the 10th Annual Emerald Coast Metaphysical Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 24 and 25 at the Navarre Conference Center on U. S. 98. Cost is $15/adults and $5/children 3-11. Two-day pass is $25. For more information, visit www.unlimited-horizons.org.

Training symposium

The Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Society of Military Comptrollers and the Northwest Florida Chapter of the National Contract Management Association will host this annual training event March 8 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island. The schedule includes more than 14 workshops and a CDFM test site. Cost is $110. Register at www.gulfcoastasmc.org/rpds/.

Tootsie Roll Drive

The Knights of Columbus Annual Handicapped Citizens Drive, Tootsie Roll Drive, will be held March 15-18 at Walmart in Destin. The funds collected will help Horizons, Inc., Special Olympics of Okaloosa County and Resources for Human Development, Inc. For every donation a Tootsie Roll will be given.

Old-time Saturday

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso presents Outhouse Archaeology, uncover clues about what people threw away, during Old-time Saturday for children and families on March 24. Cost is $7/child or $5/child for Museum members. Chaperones are free. Make reservations at 678-2615.

Shamrock Sales

Lowe’s will be catching the St. Patrick’s Day spirit through March 31 as citizens have the opportunity to help in the fight against neuromuscular diseases by buying a shamrock mobile. These funds will help local families fighting neuromuscular diseases.

Self-Defense classes

A free Women’s Self-Defense class for ages 12 and up, sponsored by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 14 at the NWFSC gym. Dress comfortably; loose clothing and sneakers preferred. A free Self-Defense class for ages 4-12 will be held from 9-9:30 a.m. April 14 in the NWFSC gym. Call 651-7153 or email abailey@sheriff-okaloosa.org for more information.

Panhandle Job Fair

The NW Florida Spring Panhandle Job Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at St. Mary's Parish Life Center, 165 Coral Drive in Fort Walton Beach. Job seekers are not required to register and attend for free.  A list of employers (exhibitors) can be found at www.panhandlejobfair.com. For information, email flpanhandlejobfair@cox.net.

Boating course

A one-day Partner-in-Command boating course will be conducted beginning at 8:30 a.m. May 12 at the Anchorage, 404 Green Acres Road, in Fort Walton Beach. The cost is $45 for one person or $55 for two members sharing the same materials. Class size is limited. Call 863-0874.

Seniors of Destin Program

Call the Destin Community Center at 654-5184 for more information on programs for seniors.

• Free golf lessons, 8 a.m. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at Morgan Sport Complex. Call 685-5310.

Destin Library

The following events are held regularly at the Destin Library. Call 837-8572

• Tai Chi for Arthritis: At 7 a.m.  Wednesdays. Cost is $5/class.

• Cuddlers & Toddlers Storytime: From 3-3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30-10:15 a.m. Thursdays for ages 4 months to 4 years.

• Independent Film Series: Independent and foreign films shown at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.

• Friends of the Destin Library: Monthly meeting held at 10 a.m. the second Friday of each month.

Destin Community Center

All activities are at the Destin Community Center, unless noted. Call 654-5184 for information and to register. Persons with disabilities who require assistance are asked to notify the center 48 hours in advance.

• Baton lessons: Begins in the spring. Call 699-8309.

• Chair yoga: Thursday at 10 a.m. Cost is $3/class.

• Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Buck Destin Park. Entry fee: $6. No partner needed.

• Game room: Open to children 10 and older and under 10 accompanied by adult from 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday.

• Intermediate party bridge: Mondays and Tuesdays at 12:45 p.m. at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.

• Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call 621-3055. 

• Kidz Klub: After-school program from 3:30-5:30 p.m. 

• Modern line dance: Classes from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 11. Fee is $5/class.

• Open gym: Check ahead for times and dates open.

• Table tennis: 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays.

• Tennis Academy: A tennis program with USPTA Professional Brian Wilson at Buck Destin Park on Legion Drive. This program will be open to all ages and abilities with days and times to be determined. Group classes will be one hour long and cost $15 a session. Private lessons will be $50 an hour. To sign up or for more information, email srbtennispro@yahoo.com.

• Walking Club: Walk with music from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday.

• Woodcarving: Fridays at 9 a.m. Fee is $3.

• Yoga: Thursdays at noon. Cost is $5/class.

• Zumba: Classes start at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays in January. Fee is $10/class or class cards at 10 for $70 or 20 for $100. Call 543-1507.

•  Zumba for kids: A Zumbatomic Class will start in January at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays for children ages 4-12. Fee is $10/class or class cards at 10 for $70 or 20 for $100. Call 543-1507.

• Zumba gold: Thursday at 11 a.m. Cost is $6/class.