Community happenings

Adult Literacy class

Class to help improve reading and writing skills will be held at 9 a.m. May 10 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1100 Palm Blvd. in Niceville. Course of study by the Latter-day Saint Church based on the scriptures. Call 729-0277.

Backyard Habitats

Turn your backyard into a habitat for animals at 9 a.m. May 10 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-0299.

Florida Trail Association

Chapter picnic at Rocky Bayou State Park at 10:00 a.m. May 10. Call  862-9633.

Great Moms Walk: The Shalimar United Methodist Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) chapter will host a Great Moms Walk and family event from 9-11 a.m. May 10 at Ferry Park Fitness Trail in Fort Walton Beach to raise awareness as well as spread the message that mothering matters. Free registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Letter Carriers Food Drive: The National Association of Letter Carriers postal Food Drive will be held May 10. Place donations in our mailbox early that day for letter carriers to pick up on regular mail routes. Items needed include macaroni, spaghetti, soups, canned meats, peanut butter, canned juice, canned fruits and vegetables and cereal.

Plus-size model search: ModelScoutBennet and Bennettprophoto of Destin are the official scouts for MTV’s new series, Model Maker. Needed are girls 18-25 years of age willing to commit to a  three month bootcamp style show. Casting will take place from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. May 10 at Hurricane Lanes, Ruperts Sports Bar and Yesterdays in Destin. Height requirement is 5’8” and over.

Lifeguard training courses
The Destin Fire Control District will hold a free United States Lifesaving Association lifeguard training course  May 12-16 at the fire station at 117 Crystal Beach Drive. Lifeguard positions are available for the upcoming season and starting pay is $14.17 per hour. The public is invited to attend regardless of whether or not they are seeking employment. Call 837-8413.

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of May 12-16:
•Monday: Smoked sausage.
•Tuesday: Turkey breast with gravy.
•Wednesday: Hamburger patty.
•Thursday: Grilled chicken.
•Friday: Italian style pork.

Okaloosa County Tourism Week
The 25th annual National Tourism Week is scheduled and The Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council will celebrate with the theme “Get HisTOURical.” Events include:
•May 13-16: Local industry partners’ displays, prizes and refreshments in the Visitors Welcome Center, 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach.
•May 16: Celebration at 9 a.m. at the Emerald Coast Conference Center with a presentation on the history of Okaloosa County and a Native American dance demonstration. A tour featuring some of southern Okaloosa County’s historical sites will follow. The tour is only open to travel industry professionals and requires preregistration. Call 651-7647.
 
Food for Thought lecture
The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center will host a free public lecture titled “Life on the Northwest Florida Frontier” from 12-1 p.m. May 14 in the Indian Temple Mound Museum’s main gallery. Call 833-9595.

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.
•Computer classes are held on Wednesdays and are scheduled as Fall semester offerings and Spring offerings. Classes are free, but do require a valid library card from an Okaloosa County library.

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 for adults.
•Chair Yoga: Meets at 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $2.
•Destin Spiritist group: Meets from 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Free. Registration required at spiritist_destin@yahoo.com. Call 855-4374.
•Duplicate bridge: ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Community Center and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Buck Destin Park. Entry fee: $5. Call 380-1558.
•Game room: Open to children 10 and older and under 10 accompanied by adult from 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday.
•Intermediate party bridge: At 12:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.
•Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
•Low impact aerobics: From 9:15-10:15 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 8-9 a.m. Monday through Friday.
•Woodcarving: Coastal Wood Carvers meet at 9 a.m. Fridays. Fee: $3 per class.

Destin YMCA
If interested in the following events, contact the Destin Family YMCA at 837-8440.
•Swim classes for spring now forming.
•Registration for T-ball for boys and girls ages 3 and 4 begins May 12.
•The Emerald Coast Swim Team for  ages 4-18 will practice from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
•Fitness classes are offered in the morning and evening at Grace Lutheran Church. Call for schedule.

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

TPO Orientation
Transportation Planning Organization members, Advisory Committee members and local residents are invited to a presentation on the role and responsibility of the TPO from 1:30-3:30 p.m. May 15 in Niceville City Hall, 208 N. Partin Drive. Register at (800) 226-8914, Ext. 228.

Summer-Rama
The 2008 Summer-Rama will be held at 6 p.m. May 15 at the University of Florida IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Office, 5479 Old Bethel Road in Crestview and at 6 p.m. May 20 at JobsPlus One Stop Career Center, 406 NE Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach. The event will provide Okaloosa County youth and parents an opportunity to discover summer programs available for youth and register for programs.

new4Torch Award
The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida will host its third annual Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics for District II May 15 at SunDestin in Destin. Networking, silent auction and registration begins at 11 a.m. followed by program.
Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of local goods and services in a silent auction to benefit the BBB Foundation.
Cost is $20 per person, payable to the BBB Foundation of Northwest Florida. To RSVP, call (800) 729-9226 or e-mail info@nwfl.bbb.org

Nursing Home Week
In honor of Nursing Home Week, Destin Health Care Rehab. will hold events from 12-2 p.m. May 16. Tour the facility and enjoy food hot off the grill. Call 654-4588.

Military Appreciation Month
During May, to honor Military Appreciation Month, Anita Doberman, a military mom coach and lifestyle expert, will offer free sessions and support to all military personnel and their families facing deployments or separations. Call 485-0517 or e-mail anita@anitadoberman.com

HarborWalk Village Fish & Farmers Market
HarborWalk Village will showcase the region’s local produce farmers, specialty products, seafood, charter fishing fleet, and other community organizations from 7-11 a.m. Saturdays through May 24 during the HarborWalk Village Fish & Farmers Market.

Scholarships
The local chapter of the American Society of Military Comptrollers is offering scholarships to students in academic disciplines relating to financial management who are seeking an undergraduate degree and have at least 2 years (60 semester hours) of college, or will have 60 hours completed by the end of their spring 2008 semester. The deadline for applications is May 16. Call 883-3542 or e-mail  john.dininger@eglin.af.mil

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.
•May 16-18: Camping at Pine Log State Forest and hiking on Nokuse and Pine Log at 8 a.m. Call 341-1389.
•May 24-25: Camping, canoeing and hiking event on Juniper Creek in Santa Rosa County at 8 a.m. Call 623-1646.
•May 27: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville.  Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

Women’s Self Defense clinic
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office will hold a Women’s Self Defense clinic at 6 p.m. May 16 at the Cinco Bayou Town Hall, 10 Yacht Club Drive in Fort Walton Beach. No pre-registration necessary. Recommended for ages 12 and up unless with parents approval.

Heritage Museum
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will offer the following craft classes. Space is limited. Pre-register at 678-2615 or stop by the Museum at 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso.
•Basket Weaving — Cracker Basket: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17. Most supplies included. Cost: $30, $25 for museum members.

Plant and yard art sale
The ladies of Gulf Pines Garden Club will hold their annual plant and yard art sale from 8 a.m.-noon May 17 at the
Gulf Pines Subdivision, Beach Drive at the Park on the Lake. Call 654-4577.

May Bike Month events
The Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee will hold the following events. Free helmets, T-shirts and other safety gear while supplies last. Light refreshments. Call (800) 226-8914, Ext. 239.
•May 17: May Day Family Bike Ride from 8 a.m.-noon at the South Walton Courthouse Annex.
•May 26: May Day family Bike ride from 8 a.m.-noon in the Morgan Sports Center Complex on Two Trees Road in Destin.

Topsail tours
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach will hold the following tours. A $2 park entrance fee is required. For information, call 267-0299.
•Alligators: Learn the facts and history of American alligators at 9 a.m. May 17.
•Fishing in the Surf: Learn the basics and tricks of the trade on catching bait, fish identification and how to fish in the surf at 9 a.m. May 24. Bring your poles.
•Nature Trail Hike: Focus on native flora and fauna at 9 a.m. May 31.
•Breakfast with a Ranger: Ask questions about park wildlife at breakfast at 9 a.m. June 7. Cost is $3 or bring your own breakfast.
•Ancient Sea Turtles: Learn the facts about common sea turtles at 9 a.m. June 14.
•Coastal Dune Lakes: Learn about rare freshwater lakes at 9 a.m. June 21.
•Snakes in your Backyard: Learn about the native snakes at 9 a.m. June 28.
•Breakfast with a Ranger: Ask questions about park wildlife at breakfast at 9 a.m. July 5. Cost is $3 or bring your own breakfast.
•Wildlife Puppet Show: Geared for young children at 9 a.m. July 12.
•Endangered Beach Mouse: Learn about their habitat and behavior at 9 a.m. July 19.
•Wild World of Spiders: Learn which spiders are poisonous, where they live, and what they eat at 9 a.m. July 26.

Maritime education courses
The University of West Florida Division of Continuing Education will offer maritime education courses, taught by the United States Power Squadron, in Fort Walton Beach at a cost of $40/person. To enroll, call 474-2914 or visit ContinuingEd.uwf.edu
•Heavy Weather Sailing, 9 to 11 a.m. May 17.
•How to Use a Chart, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. May 24.

Magnolia Day
The seventh annual Magnolia Day for military spouses will be held from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. May 17 at the Eglin Officer’s Club, Eglin AFB.  A
registration fee of $10 covers lunch and four workshops. Doors prizes and
goody bags will be provided for all attendees. Registration boxes are at the Eglin BX, Commissary, Hospital, Library, and various other locations on base.
   
Special financial trust seminar
Sacred Heart Senior Services and Mainstay Financial Group, Inc. will present a free seminar on a special trust used to cover funeral expenses at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. May 19 in the Suite 3 Resource Center conference room at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. To register for this free seminar,  call 278-3600 or (877) 416-1600.
               
Covenant Hospice volunteer training workshop
Covenant Hospice will hold a volunteer training workshop from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 20 at the Covenant Hospice office, 101 Hart Street in Niceville. The workshop is free and refreshments will be provided. To register, call 729-1800.

CPR/AED classes
American Heart Association CPR/AED classes will be held from 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. May 21, June 11, 26 and July 8 and 23 at the Destin Fire Control District, 848 Airport Road. Cost is $45/class and includes textbook, instruction, all materials and CPR card. Call 837-8413 to sign up.

Hurricane Seminar
A free hurricane seminar for Walton County residents will be held at 6 p.m. May 27 at the Agricultural Center, 732 North 9th Street in DeFuniak Springs. Call 892-8065, Ext. 230.

Fit Club
The Destin YMCA is offering a “Fit Club” in partnership with The Palms of Destin. Members have access to The Palms “State of the Art” facility.  Call 837-8440 for member and non-member rates.

Slip, Trip or Fall program
Gentiva Health Services and The City of Destin present “Slip, Trip or Fall” at 10 a.m. May 28 at the Destin Senior Headquarters, 108 Stahlman Ave. Free event. Call 654-5184.

Boating Safety Course
“About Boating Safety Course,” presented by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, will be held at 9 a.m. May 31 at Coast Guard Station Destin on U.S. 98 on Okaloosa Island. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $35 which includes the textbook, an examination at the end of the course. Lunch will be provided at the Coast Guard station. Pre-register at 243-8345.

Jr. Lifeguard program
The Destin Fire Rescue Foundation ‘s Jr. Lifeguard program will be held June 9 to Aug. 7. Class size is limited to 50 participants ages 8 to 17. Cost is $400 for the eight-week program. Juniors will scuba, swim, snorkel and much more.
The Lifeguard In Training program begins this summer. All perspective candidates must have completed the eight-week Jr. Lifeguard program prior to application. Call 837-8413.

Yoga classes
Free beginner’s yoga classes will be held from 11 a.m.-noon every third Saturday at Dragonfly Yoga, 184 Brooks St. SE, #2 in Fort Walton Beach. Call 244-0184.

Destin History & Fishing Museum
If you are interested in volunteering for The Destin History & Fishing Museum, call 837-6611. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.
 
Training and toning demonstrations
Free accelerated strength training and toning demonstrations will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturdays. Call 420-5044

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 14, Destin, at 244-5374.

Harvest House volunteers
Harvest House needs volunteers. If interested, call Lainie, 837-2277, or Caroline, 685-4013.

Heritage Museum volunteers
Volunteers are needed at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso, to meet and greet, exhibit tours, and for special events. Call 678-2615.

Hospice of the Emerald Coast
Hospice of the Emerald Coast in Crestview has openings for volunteers. Call 689-0300.

Bridgeway Center
Meals on Wheels needs volunteer drivers who possess a valid driver’s license. Arrive on site between 10 and 10:30 a.m. Each route will generally take between 45 minutes and an hour and fifteen minutes. Drivers are needed Monday-Friday, or even one day a week, for Destin and Fort Walton Beach routes. Destin routes will be based out of the Destin Senior Center at 108 Stahlman Ave. Fort Walton Beach routes will be based out of the Creative Senior Center, 31 Memorial Drive SW. Call 833-7479.
Bridgeway Center also offers classes in anger management, parenting, coping skills, drug alcohol traffic education and more.

Prayer meeting
Every Friday from noon-1 p.m., a noontime prayer meeting will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 4325 Commons Drive. All are welcome for five minutes or the entire hour to pray for the city, nation, marketplace, revival and personal refreshing.

Soul strength and stretch
Classes for all ages and all levels of fitness are held at 5 p.m. Tuesdays at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin. Bring mat and bottle of water. Fee is $5/class. Call 837-1943.