Community happenings

Bird Walk
To learn about bird behavior, ID and habitats, join the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society for walks at local birding “hotspots” on the Eastern shores of Okaloosa Island at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 11. Meet at Destin Bridge West parking lot. Binoculars, field guide, bug spray, hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, long pants and water are recommended. Call 863-2039.

Friends of the Destin Library
Meet at the Destin Library for a workshop, “How to Grow Vegetables on the Gulf Coast,” at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 in the Calhoun Room at the library. The meeting is open to those interested in joining the group and the general public. Light refreshments will be served. Call 8572, Ext. 104.

Pet-A-Palooza
HarborWalk Village will have a petting zoo, pet costume contest with prize money up to $250, children’s inflatable, pet rescue organizations and other pet related vendors catering to pet enthusiasts from 12 to 6 p.m. Oct. 11.

Pumpkin Patch
Try pumpkin painting and other pumpkin play, kids arts and crafts, face painting and more, at the pumpkin patch from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at HarborWalk Village. All proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House and Shelter House.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.
•Oct. 12: Hike the Garcon Point Trail at 8 a.m. Call 623-1646.
•Oct. 18: Volunteers needed for maintenance on Eglin trails at 8 a.m. Call 341-1389.
•Oct. 18: Hike or bike on Navarre beach at 8 a.m. with lunch afterwards. Call 932-0125.
•Oct. 19: Hike in Conecuh State Forest at 9 a.m. Call 939-0966.
•Oct. 25: Nokuse Section dedication ceremony at Seven Run Trailhead on SR 81 at 9 a.m. Hikes to follow ceremony. Call 341-1389.
•Oct. 28: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville.  Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

Sacred Heart Arts and Crafts Fair
Reserve booth space now for Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast’s fifth annual Arts and Crafts Fair benefiting the hospital’s Relay for Life team. The fair will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14-15 in the main colonnade of the hospital. For more information or to reserve a booth for $40 per day, call Karen Hughes at (850) 278-3627.

Career workshops
The Career Resource Center at Northwest Florida State College will hold a series of free 50-minute workshops beginning at 5 p.m. that provide tips on improving job search skills, choosing a college major, and keys for job success. To reserve a seat, call 729-5227.
•Don’t “Tell” Yourself Short – Keys to Effective Interviewing: Oct. 15 and Dec. 11 on the Niceville campus; Oct. 30 and Nov. 19 on the Fort Walton Beach campus.
•The “Write” Approach – Keys to Effective Resume Writing: Oct. 13 and Dec. 9 on the Niceville campus; Oct. 28 and Nov. 17 on the Fort Walton Beach campus.
•Extinct or Distinct–A Workplace “DNA” Journey: Nov. 12 on the Fort Walton Beach campus; Nov. 3 on the Niceville campus.
•Choosing A College Major: At 1 p.m. Nov. 19 on the Niceville campus; and at 5 p.m. Oct. 22 on the Niceville campus.

Viking Chow Down
The Fort Walton Beach High School Leadership program, clubs and sports teams will sponsor Viking  Chow Down from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 15 in the school cafeteria. Food or money donations are welcome.
Proceeds will be used to fund Christmas Connection program, providing food, clothes and gifts for underprivileged families.

 Heritage Museum
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso will offer traditional folk art style painting classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 15, and Nov. 5 and 19. Cost is $35 per class or $30 for HMNF members. Space is limited. Call 678-2615 to register and for a supply list.

PAWS reunion
All Panhandle Animal Welfare Society Adoption Dogs and their friends are invited to a reunion party from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 16 at Tijuana Flats on Eglin Parkway. Prizes will be awarded for the alumni coming the farthest distance. There will also be a pet Halloween Costume Contest as well as a unique bandana contest.
Tijuana Flats donates a percentage of their profits each Thursday to the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society. Call 243-1525.

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.
•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.
•Low impact aerobics: From 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Bring water and towel. Cost $3 per session.
•Oil painting: Featuring “Bob Ross Method.” Class is $35, supplies $10 and canvas $10.
•Walk to music: From 8 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.
•Woodcarving: Coastal Wood Carvers meet at 9 a.m. Fridays. Fee: $3 per class.
•Zumba: Dance fitness class at 10 a.m. Thursdays. Cost $6 per class.

Destin YMCA
If interested in the following events, contact the Destin Family YMCA at 837-8440.
•Aquatics Center Spinning classes: Workout for all ages at 8 a.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. First class free.
•Swim lessons: On going classes, weekly and weekend. Ages 6 months to adult.

Destin History and Fishing Museum
The Destin History and Fishing Museum will host the premier of Destin’s Dance Elite’s new 2008-2009 competition dance routines from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. The event is free. The Museum is at 108 Stahlman Ave. Call 837-6611.

Birdwatching
A special birdwatching trip in Sandestin to a wetland preserve along Choctawhatchee Bay will take place at 8 a.m. Oct. 18. Bring sturdy walking shoes and binoculars.
Admission is $10/person. Pre-registration requested at www.southwaltoncc.org or call 314-3749. All proceeds benefit the South Walton Community Council.

Blue Jean Ball
The Blue Jean Ball to benefit Covenant Hospice will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Crestview Community Center. Tickets are $50 and available at 729-1800. Event includes a silent auction, steak dinner and dessert buffet. Clark & Company and the OWC Show Choir will perform.

Coffeen Nature Preserve
The Coffeen Nature Preserve will host a special tour combining history and nature at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 19. Participants will visit areas of the preserve normally not open for visitation.
The Coffeen Nature Preserve is  inside Four Mile Village, just east of Sandestin. Admission to the tour is $10 per person. All proceeds benefit the South Walton Community Council.
Pre-registration is requested at  www.southwaltoncc.org or call 314-3749.

Boating seminars
The UWF Continuing Education program and the Fort Walton Sail and Power Squadron will present boating seminars at 7 p.m. at the University of West Florida Coombs Campus on Lovejoy Road in Fort Walton Beach. Registration is available on-line at www.uwf.edu. Call 315-0686 or 474-2914.
Scheduled seminars are:
•Oct. 19: Onboard Weather Forecasting.
•Oct. 25: Charts.

Medicare seminar
Sacred Heart Senior Services and Mainstay Financial Group, Inc. will host a free seminar on the ABCs and Ds of Medicare and Supplemental Insurance at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 in the Resource Center Suite 3 conference room at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. To register, call 278-3600 or toll-free (877) 416-1600.
           
Computer workshops
The Destin Library computer workshops, to be held from 9 a.m.–noon in the David Neal Computer Lab or other locations at the library center, are open to individuals having a valid library card membership in the Okaloosa County Library Cooperative and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at the library. The last day for preregistration will be two days prior to the scheduled workshop date. Call 837-8572.
Workshop offerings include:
•Introduction to the Internet: Nov. 19.
•Introduction to Windows XP I: Oct. 22.
•Introduction to E-Mail: Dec. 10.

CareerFest 2008
Northwest Florida State College, the Walton County School District, and the DeFuniak Springs Rotary Club will host CareerFest 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the NWF State College Chautauqua Center, 908 Hwy. 90 West in DeFuniak Springs. Call 892-8100.

Crafts and Collectibles Show
The Fort Walton Beach Creative Center is accepting applications for the Crafts and Collectibles Show to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25. The center is at 31 Memorial Parkway SW between U.S. 98 and Hollywood Boulevard. Call 833-9587.
Eight foot tables are available for $20 per table. Holiday décor, gifts, jewelry, toys, and other unique items will be available. Door prizes will be given away and special lunch items will be available for sale.

Family Fall Festival and Fish Fry
Immanuel Anglican Church, 250 Indian Bayou Trail in Destin, will host a Family Fall Festival and Fish Fry from 12 to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 on the back deck of the church. All monies collected from the fish fry will go toward the 2009 Youth Mission trip to Jamaica.

Silver Sands Midnight Madness
Silver Sands Factory Stores will open 100 outlet stores and restaurants from midnight to 9 p.m. Nov. 28, the busiest shopping day of the year.
For part-time and full-time job opportunities available during holiday hours, call 654-9771, Ext. 1.

SOCKS luncheon and auction
A luncheon and auction will be held beginning at noon Oct. 26 at Westwood Retirement Resort on Mar Walt Drive in Fort Walton Beach to benefit Save Our Cats and Kittens, the local organization and shelter which deals exclusively with cats. Lunch is $15.
The auction will start at 2 p.m. and a complimentary afternoon tea will be served and cakes and cookies will be available for purchase at 3 p.m.
Tickets are available at the SOCKS Shelter on Carmel Drive in Fort Walton Beach or from members of SOCKS or send a check (made payable to SOCKS)  to Nancy Kenaston, 24 Neptune Drive, Mary Esther and receive the tickets by mail.

Money Smart
A non-credit course, “Money Smart: Basic Adult Financial Literacy,” is being offered through Northwest Florida State College’s Continuing Education program from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 and Dec. 1 in Building K, room 151 on the Niceville campus. Individuals may register for the class at any NWF State College location now through the first day of class, space permitting. Registration fee is $25. Call 729-6085.

Abrakadoodle art classes
Free art classes for toddlers ages 4 years and under will be held from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 at the Destin Library. Children will learn about artists and artist styles, develop new skills, learn about artists of distinction, demonstrate art techniques, explore creative art materials, and design original artwork.
The free classes are based on a selected book and will include a take-home art activity. Each scheduled class will be limited to 15 children.Pre-register on a first-come, first-served basis with the library at 837-8572.

Camellia Show
The 45th annual Camellia Show, presented by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 in the atrium of Westwood Retirement Resort, 1001 Mar Walt Drive in Fort Walton Beach. The show is open to the public and free of charge. Camellia plants will be available for purchase at the show. Call 803-1161 or 477-3625.

Canine Carnival
Alaqua Animal refuse/C.A.R.E. needs vendors for the 2008 Canine Carnival to be held Nov. 15 at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-3123.

UWF open house
The University of West Florida will host an open house for future students from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15 in the University Commons Conference Center, Bldg. 22. Check-in will be held from 9 to 9:30 a.m. University representatives and current students will be on hand to provide admission and academic information to future students and parents. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take a campus tour. The open house is free and open to the public. Call 474-2230.

Brews Blues and BBQ
A dockside beer tasting and BBQ cook off hosted by the NW Florida Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association will be held from 2-6 p.m. Nov. 16 at HarborWalk Village. The event is the annual fall fundraiser.
Restaurants will compete in several categories and offer samples of BBQ and coastal fare. Breweries will offer craft beer and cocktails. The fun afternoon will feature “tasting stations” where guests can experience food, fun entertainment and cold beverages.
For members only, A VIP lounge will overlook the Destin Harbor.
For information on how to become involved, e-mail jamiemarie@cox.net or call 585-5451.

Destin History & Fishing Museum
The Destin History & Fishing Museum is offering interesting and educational tours to home school students. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Adults are $5, seniors/military, $4 and students of all ages $3. Under 5 are free. Call 837-6611.

Vessel safety checks
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer free vessel safety checks on any kind of recreational watercraft from kayaks, canoes, personal watercraft, to large cabin cruisers and sailboats.
Boat owners may call to schedule by contacting Flotilla 1-4, Destin, at 244-5374.