Community happenings

Children’s Choir of Africa
Experience traditional African song and dance when the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa performs a free concert at 7 p.m. July 9 at Grace Lutheran Church in Destin. The choir is made up of 24 orphans and vulnerable children from Kenya.

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of July 7-11:
•Wednesday: Oven fried chicken.
•Thursday: Tuna salad.
•Friday: Chicken strips.

Boating course
“About Boating Safety Course,” presented by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, will be held at 9 a.m. July 12 and 26 at Coast Guard Station Destin on U.S. 98, Okaloosa Island.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $35 and includes textbook, examination and lunch. To pre-register, call 243-8345.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.
•July 12: Float trip on the northern Yellow River at 8 a.m. Call 682-6098.
•July 19: Float trip on Blackwater River at 8 a.m. Call 932-0125.
•July 19: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance on Eglin reservation at 8 a.m. Call 341-1389.
•July 22: Monthly meeting at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville at 6 p.m.
•July 26: Annual Summer Sweat Hike at 8 a.m. in the Titi section with a partial hike or bail out point at 3.7 miles. Call 862-9633.

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.
•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.
•Nature Trail Hike: Focus on flora and fauna at 9 a.m. Aug. 2.
•Breakfast with a Ranger:  Ask questions about park wildlife at breakfast at 9 a.m. Aug. 9. Cost is $3 or bring your own breakfast.
•Coastal Dune Lakes: Learn about freshwater lakes that exist in Walton County at 9 a.m. Aug. 16.
•Fishing in the Surf: Learn basics on catching bait, fish identification and how to fish in the surf at 9:15 a.m. Aug. 23. Bring your poles.
•Ancient Sea Turtles: Learn the facts about common sea turtles at 9 a.m. Aug. 30.

Boating seminars
A boating seminar on using VHF and VHF/DFC Marine Radio will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. July 14 at the University of West Florida Coombs Campus on Lovejoy Road in Fort Walton Beach.
Registration is available on-line through the UWF Continuing Education Maritime Education web site. The cost for each seminar is $40. Call 315-0686 or 474-2914.

Wild West Show
Through poems, trick roping and bull whip demonstrations, special guest Cowboy Bruce Brannen will bring to life the days of the old west at 10 a.m. July 15 at the Fort Walton Beach Library. The Wild West Show is free for all ages. To sign up, call 833-9590.

Parent power workshop
Project Reality will present a free parent power workshop from 10 a.m. to noon July 15 at the Destin Library, 150 Sibert Ave. Learn how to communicate with your child and educate your child about the message of abstinence. Call 278-6893. No registration required.

Trade In-Sale to benefit Shelter House
Patchington is holding a Trade In-Sale to benefit the Shelter House on July 16 and 17. Customers “trading-in” quality used clothing will receive a discount on comparable articles of clothing.
All clothing “traded-in” will be donated to Shelter House for use in their Thrift Shoppe.

Political Meet and Greet
The Democratic Women’s Club of Okaloosa County will hold a “Political Meet and Greet” at 5 p.m. July 17 at the Boathouse Restaurant on John Sims Parkway in Valparaiso.
The event is for all area Democrats, those interested in being a Democrat, those wanting to learn about the Democratic agenda and anyone who wants to meet our Democratic candidates. Call 678-1561 or 651-3040.

Documentary “As We Forgive”
Laura Waters Hinson brings her award-winning documentary, “As We Forgive,” to Destin at 7 p.m. July 18 at Grace Lutheran Church, which is sponsoring the event with Immanuel Anglican Church.
Admission is free and an offering will be taken. The film will be followed by a Q & A with Hinson and a reception.

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 for adults.
•Chair Yoga: Meets at 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $2.
•Destin Spiritist group: Meets from 7 to 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 to 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 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.

Destin YMCA
If interested in the following events, contact the Destin Family YMCA at 837-8440.
•Registration for T-ball for boys and girls ages 3 and 4.
•Registration for volleyball ages 10 through 16.
•The Emerald Coast Swim Team for  ages 4 through 18 will practice from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
•Aquacise classes morning and evening.
•Fitness classes, including zumba class, are offered in the morning and evening at Grace Lutheran Church. Call for schedule.

Cox Communications Cablethon
 The 36th annual Cox Communications Cablethon to benefit Covenant Hospice in Okaloosa and Walton counties will be held on Cox channel 6 from 8 p.m. July 18 through 8 p.m. July 19.
The not-for-profit organization is now seeking corporate sponsorships and auction items for the Cablethon. If interested in being a sponsor or donating auction items, call 729-1800.
 
Christmas in July
The Fort Walton Beach Creative Center is accepting applications for the “Christmas in July” Craft Show and Bake Sale to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19. Holiday décor, gifts, baked items, jewelry, toys, and other unique items will be available. Door prizes will be given away all day and special lunch items will be available. Call 833-9587. 

CPR/AED classes
American Heart Association CPR/AED classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. July 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.

Pilates classes
Mindful Pilates, located within Northwest Florida Ballet, introduces  “Spine Corrector” Pilates sessions. Session 1 will be held once a week from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 7 through Sept. 28. Call 664-7787 or visit www.nfballet.org for more information.

Rally 2008
WSRE presents “Rally 2008,” a primary and general election television candidate forum focusing on the upcoming primary election, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 18–21.

Volunteer Firefighter Weekend
The third annual Northwest Florida Volunteer Firefighter Weekend will be held Sept. 17-21. Visit www.nwflvolunteerffweekend.com for information or to register.
 
Emerald Coast Woodturners Guild
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso will host the Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild as part of its Heritage Alive! Craft Series at 10 a.m. Sept. 20. The program is free and open to the public. 
 Seating is limited; call 678-2615 for a reservation.

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.

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.

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.