Community happenings

Archaeology
The Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center in Fort Walton Beach will host archaeologists from around the area for demonstrations and educational displays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 11.

Breakfast with a Ranger
Ask questions about wildlife at 9 a.m. April 11 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Bring $4 or bring your own breakfast. Call 267-0299.

Sorority information party
All college-bound high school graduating senior girls and their mothers are invited to the Fort Walton Beach Area Panhellenic Sorority Information Party at 10 a.m. April 11 at Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club, 180 NE Ferry Road. Call 651-5049.

The Destin Community Center offers numerous activities including exercise and fitness classes, art classes and bridge games. Call 654-5184 for information and to register. Visit www.thedestinlog.com for a complete listing.

Founder’s Day
The annual Destin’s Founder’s Day celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9 at the Destin Community Center.
If you are a founder or member of a founding family and have missed this celebration, please call us and confirm your address so we can add you to our contact list for this year’s celebration.
Founder’s will be introduced and recognized at noon. This will be an old fashioned fish fry with all the trimmings. Lunch will be available at $5/plate. Entertainment will be provided. Call 654-5184.

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of April  13-17:
•Monday: Turkey pot pie.
•Tuesday: Breaded pork with gravy.
•Wednesday: Oven fried chicken.
•Thursday: Sloppy Joe.
•Friday: Tuna salad.

Boating seminars
A boating seminar,Advanced Boat Handling 1, geared toward local boaters, begins at 7 p.m. April 6 at the University of West Florida Coombs Campus on Lovejoy Road in Fort Walton Beach. Registration is available on-line at www.uwf.edu or call 315-0686.
•April 13: Advanced Boat Handling 2.
•April 20: Advanced Boat Handling 3.
•April 27: Hurricanes and Boats.

National Tea Party Day
A group of citizens in Niceville are planning a TEA Party Rally at noon April 15 in front of City Hall on Partin Drive. Supporters park in the lot behind the library on Partin Drive and bring American flags and signs.  

Brown Bag Lunch Series
David Pleat of Pleat & Perry, P.A., will present Practical Survival Tips for Handling Small Business Debt and Accounts Payable in a Down Economy at the Brown Bag Lunch Series from 12 to 1 p.m. April 16 in the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce office. 
There is no cost to attend, but  register at www.DestinChamber.com

2009 Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook
The United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties is gathering information on children’s summer programs for the “2009 Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook,” designed to help parents find safe, fun and educational daytime summer activities for children.
The criteria for the guidebook includes: Programs offered to youth ages 4 – 18 during the months of June, July and August.
If your agency/business offers such summer programs, send a general description of the programs including dates, times, cost and any items the children may need to bring.
Send information to United Way, Attn: 2009 Summer Fun Guidebook, 112 Tupelo Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; fax: 243-6625 or e-mail events@united-way.org. Deadline is  April 17. For information call 243-0315.

Indianettes fundraiser
The Choctaw Indianettes Dance Team will hold Bagfest, a purse and accessories party, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 17 in the Choctawhatchee High School Cafeteria to raise money for new uniforms and to attend dance camp. The team will also perform a short dance presentation.

Science Seminar
The final Science Friday seminar hosted by the Science Department at Northwest Florida State College will be at 11 a.m. April 17 in the Robert E. Greene, Jr. Science building on the Niceville campus in the main lecture hall, room S-110. Julie Terrell will present “Water Quality of the Choctawhatchee Estuary — a Look in the Past and an Overview of Today,” and will address current conditions of water quality in Choctawhatchee Bay and changes in water quality over the last 40 years. Call 729-5376.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.
•April 17–19: Camping at Pine Log State Forest with day hikes on Econfina Creek and other trails at 8 a.m. Call 492-8258.
•April 19: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance in Blackwater Forest at 8 a.m. Call  983-2557.
•April 25: Hike or bike on the Blackwater Heritage Trail in Milton at 8 a.m. Call 932-0125.
•April 26: Hike on Juniper Creek Trail at 8 a.m. Call 484-9111.
•April 28: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Bayou Blues in Niceville. Call 682-6098.

Earth Day Beach Cleanup
April’s Earth Day Beach Cleanup will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. April 18. Wear closed shoes, gloves, cap and sunscreen. Volunteers receive free T-shirts, soda and snacks while supplies last. Call 651-7131.
Locations are:
•Okaloosa Island Beasley Park (U.S. 98 East of Brooks Bridge)
•Beach Walk East of Surfdweller (Santa Rosa Blvd.)
Henderson Beach State Park (U.S. 98 East of Destin)
Rocky Bayou State Park (Hwy 20 W of Bluewater Bay)
Bluewater Bay (McDonald’s on Hwy 20)

Topsail tours
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach will hold the following tours. A $2 park entrance fee is required. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. For information, call 267-0299.
•Earth Day: Celebrate during a free festival with exhibits and hands-on activities, children’s programs, cooking demonstrations and live entertainment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 18.
•Tracking Animals: Track and find out about animals in the area at 9 a.m. April 25. Wear sunscreen and good shoes.

ACT/SAT workshop
A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will be taking the June 6 ACT and the June 13 SAT will be held from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.May 12, 13, 18 and 19 and from  2:15 to 5;15 p.m. May 14 and May 20  at Fort Walton Beach High School. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is April 27. For information, contact Alice Hart at (615) 585-2401, e-mail Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school Guidance Department.

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 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 to 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.
•Brazilian Martial Arts: Offered at 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
•Chair Yoga: Meets at 11 a.m. Thursdays. Cost is $2.
•Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Community Center Annex. Entry fee: $5. No partner needed.
•French/Italian classes: Private classes by “mother tongue” instructor. Call Mario Zannetti at 650-0992.
•Game room: Open to children 10 and older and under 10 accompanied by adult from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday.
•Intermediate party bridge: At 12:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Community Center Annex. Call 837-1967.
•Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
•Line dancing: Class from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost $5 per class and open to all men and women.
•Low impact aerobics: From 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Bring water and towel. Cost $3 per session.
•Pilates: Class held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost $5/class.
•Table tennis: Lessons for all ages.
•Walk to music: From 8 to 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday through Friday.
•Woodcarving: Coastal Wood Carvers meet at 9 a.m. Fridays. Fee: $3 per class.
•Zumba: Dance fitness class at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Thursdays. Cost $6 per class.

Destin YMCA
If interested in the following events, contact the Destin Family YMCA at 837-8440.
•Aquatic Center: Water fitness classes from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Daily fees available for recreation swim only. Members/free; non-members, $35/month.
•Swim team: For developmental group and age group to seniors. Call for information.

Children’s Hospital anniversary
Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital is looking for all current and former patients, physicians, nurses and staff members to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the hospital from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18  at the Greenhut Auditorium on Sacred Heart Hospital’s main campus in Pensacola.
A special Web page has been set up for all those affected by Children’s Hospital in the last 40 years to share personal care stories. E-mail mystory@sacredhearthospital.org or call 969-1372.

Celebrity Waiter Charity Luncheon
Bonefish Grill in Destin will host a Celebrity Waiter Charity Luncheon to benefit Destin Relay for Life April 22. First seating will be 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and second seating is 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Ticket price is $15.
Local celebrities will include Craig Barker, Marcia Hull, Greg Kisela,  James Campbell, Dale Peterson, Jeanne Dailey, Carmella Bell and many other community leaders.
To purchase tickets call 837-1071 or  e-mail luv2relay@cox.net or lsanders@ndrp.com. Tickets can also be purchased and donated to survivors on your behalf.

Town hall meeting
Dave Ramsey, nationally syndicated radio talk show host and New York Times best-selling author, will host a nationwide town hall meeting at 8 p.m. April 23 to discuss what’s happening with the economy, how we got here and where we’re going. Town Hall for Hope will be broadcast live in Destin at Village Baptist Church, 101 Matthew Blvd.. Call 837-8107 or e-mail forresterd@villagebaptist.org to register.
 
Walk4Autism Awareness
The fourth annual Walk4Autism Awareness will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. April 25 at Niceville High School with booths, vendors, a symbolic walk, commemorative T-shirt sales, face-painting, Tuffy the Horse and a  performance by The Pyramid Players. All funds collected are donated to local and regional organizations serving those affected by autism. Walkers, volunteers and sponsors needed.
Call 244-8627 or e-mail kristen@ecautismsociety.com

Environmental Symposium
The Mattie Kelly Environmental. Symposium on Choctawhatchee Bay will be held May 1 at Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus. The theme for this year’s symposium is Choctawhatchee Basin: Developing a Sustainable Vision and is a forum where members of the academic, research, industry, and government communities can discuss topics related to the Choctawhatchee Estuary and its watershed.

Mom and Me Tea
The Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center will host its first “Mom and Me Tea” for students in grades two and up from 12:30 to 3 p.m. May 2 in the Yulee Way Lazarus Education Room inside the Indian Temple Mound Museum in downtown Fort Walton Beach. Enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of the early 1900s. 
Cost is $10/per pair with $5 for each additional child. Reservations required at 833-9595.
 
Men’s only yard/garage sale
The Men’s only yard/garage sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, Christ Our Redeemer Council #13527 will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9 at 1554 Pine Street in Niceville. The sale includes items such as lawn and garden tools, hardware, furniture, hand and power tools, mowers, grills, sports equipment, etc. No shoes, no clothing. All proceeds go to support Knights of Columbus charities. Call 897-2117.

Heritage Museum
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will offer the following craft classes. Cost is $45, $40/members, and includes all materials. Space is limited. Pre-register at 678-2615 or stop by the Museum at 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso.
•Fiber Rush Weaving: From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16.
•Pine Needle Basketry: Two-part class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 23 and 30.

Billy Bowlegs Boat Poker Run
The ABWA Billy Bowlegs Boat Poker Run, annual Scholarship Fundraiser sponsored by the ladies of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association, is scheduled for May 16. Participants will enjoy the casino room at 2 p.m. and the party at 3 p.m. where local restaurants donate their specialties for the boaters to enjoy. For more information, call 863-9082.
To obtain information about being a sponsor or donating food, call 685-8027.

Community Yard Sale
A Community Yard Sale, sponsored by the Simon and Anna Society, a senior ministry at Grace Lutheran Church, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 30 at 4325 Commons Drive in Destin.
Venders must make reservations by May 15. Spaces are $30; tables, if available, $10. Call 622-0320.