Community happenings

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Dog Daze
The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society will offer $5 rabies vaccinations and $15 microchips from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at Dog Daze at the Fort Walton Landing. Personalized ID tags with emergency contact phone numbers will be available for $5. Call 243-1525.

Fall Apple Orchard
Purchase organic apples, apple bread and muffins, caramel apples and apple cider from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Seaside Amphitheatre.

Pinktober Fashion Show
Second annual event at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at Hard Rock Cafe Destin in Destin Commons. All ages welcome. Suggested admission is a donation to the Pinktober Fund at Sacred Heart.

Trunk sale

Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin will hold a trunk sale, a garage sale from your car’s trunk, from 8 to 11 a.m. Oct. 17.

Candlelight vigil
Shelter House, domestic violence center, will hold a candlelight vigil to remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence and to honor those who have survived, at 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at 208 N. Parton Drive in Niceville.

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of Oct. 19-23:
•Monday: Pepper beef steak.
•Tuesday: Glazed ham.
•Wednesday: Beef spaghetti casserole.
•Thursday: BBQ chicken patty.
•Friday: Savory beef strips.

Pumpkin Patch
The Butler Elementary PTO Pumpkin Patch will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 19-23. Pumpkins $5-$10.

College Funding Workshop
A free College Funding Workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. For reservations, call 888-608-5692 or visit www.thecollegefundingpro.com.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate. floridatrail.org or call the listed number.  
•Oct. 23-25: Annual North Florida Regional Conference at Camp Timpoochee featuring hiking, kayaking, map and compass class, wildflower presentation and more. Call 492-8258.
•Oct. 27: Monthly meeting, 6 p.m. at Bayou Blues in Niceville. Call l682-6098.
•Oct. 30-31: A hike at the south’s Little Grand Canyon, Providence Canyon in Georgia. Call 484-0528.
•Nov 6 :A walk around town in Pensacola with dinner afterwards, 6 p.m. Call 434-8861.
•Nov 7: Four mile hike at Fort Pickens with lunch afterwards, 8:30 a.m. Call 932-5469.
•Nov 7: Kids hike at the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center, 9 a.m. RSVP at 974-2078.
•Nov 11: Hike at Big Lagoon State Park with lunch afterwards, 9 a.m. Call 477-7043.
•Nov 14-15: Kids backpack trip on Eglin reservation, 8 a.m. Eglin recreation permit required. Call 585-5150.
•Nov 14: Bring your canoe or kayak for a paddle down Blackwater River from Kennedy Bridge, 8 a.m. Call 484-9111.
•Nov 15: Volunteers needed for trail work in the Yellow River Ravines section, 8 a.m. Call 474-5359.
•Nov 20: A 3 or 6 mile hike on the Dunes Trail on Pensacola Beach, 8 a.m. Call 932-0125.
•Nov 21: Canoe or kayak for a 7 mile paddle on Pine Log Creek, 9 a.m. Call 974-2078.
•Nov 24: Monthly meeting at Bayou Blues in Niceville, 6 p.m. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.
•Nov. 25-27: Celebrate Thanksgiving camping, hiking, and bike riding at Bear Lake, 8 a.m. Pot luck lunch on Thanksgiving Day. Call 682-6098.
 
Cancer Walk
Teams of walkers of all ages are welcome to participate Oct. 24 at Village Baptist Church, 101 Matthew Blvd. in Destin in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Call 244-3813, Ext. 116 or visit www.nfbcblood.org to sign up.

Children’s program
The Destin Library will host a children's program with local author Barbara Marunowski at 10 a.m. Oct. 24. The program is free and open to the public.
Marunowski will read her book, “My Cow Book,” which features characters Mikey and Markey Moo. Copies of the book will be available for sale. Call 837-8572.

Fall Apple Orchard
Purchase organic apples, apple bread and muffins, caramel apples and apple cider, hosted by Off the Vine, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at Central Market in Destin.

Have-a-Heart Dinner
Doctors from the Okaloosa Heart & Vascular Center will host the Have-a-Heart for Children Dinner and Live Auction at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at Kelly Plantation Golf Club. The annual event  benefits The Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center. Cadillac Willy will perform. Tickets are $150. Seating is limited. Call 833-9237, Ext. 283.

Craft Bazaar
The 33rd anual Craft Bazaar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at First United Methodist Church, 214 So. Partin Drive in Niceville. Proceeds will benefit missions.
 
Germania Yard Sale
A yard sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at the German-American Club House, 428 W Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach. Bratwurst and roll with sauerkraut will be served. Baked goods will be available. Call 651-8329.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is designated as national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many stores at Destin Commons will offer special sales and events with monies raised going to breast cancer

Breast cancer fundraiser
During the month of October, dressbarn in Silver Sands Factory Mall, will allow customers to “adopt” Biscuit, a stuffed plush dog, for $5; the entire net profit of $2 for each one sold will be donated to the American Cancer Society to support local and national breast cancer initiatives. Call 654-9705.

Seaside Farmers Market
Fresh items, baked goods and other offerings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in October. Enjoy cooking demos and other activities.

Boating seminar
A boating seminar, Advanced Boat Handling, will be held Oct. 26 at the University of West Florida Coombs Campus on Lovejoy Road in Fort Walton Beach. Call 315-0686. Registration is available on-line at www.uwf.edu. Cost is $35. Call 315-0686.

Destin Holiday Floral Showcase
St. Andrews By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 307 Harbor Blvd. in Destin, will be the site of the Destin Holiday Floral Showcase Oct. 27. Kirby Holt, AIFD, will demonstrate the art of making holiday floral arrangements and ornaments for your home from 10 a.m. to noon and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Door prizes, refreshments and raffles will be part of the show. Completed arrangements and holiday ornaments will be sold.
Tickets are available at the church office, 650-2737, Kitchenique at City Market in Destiny, Not Just Bagels and La Renaissance Salon in Destin, Bayou Books in Niceville, P.S. Gifts in Fort Walton Beach, and Connect with Flowers in Shalimar. Tickets are $10, payable in cash or check. Monies raised help support the church’s homeless ministries.

Leadership Summit
The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, Walton County Economic Development Alliance, and Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council will host its annual Fall Leadership Summit Oct. 29 at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.
“Identifying Growth Strategies in a Difficult Economic Environment” will focus on strategies and tactics that will position the regional economy for strong growth as the economy begins to recover.
To make reservation, call 267-0683. Visit www.waltonareachamber.com to view the final conference schedule.

City anniversary celebration
Admission to The Destin History and Fishing Museum will be half price Nov. 1-8 to celebrate the City’s 25th anniversary. On Nov. 6 admission will be free with special activities planned by the Destin Community Center.   Destin's history will “shine brightly” at the Museum during the anniversary celebration.
The Museum is open from 10 a.m. t o 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 837-6611.

CareerFest 2009
Northwest Florida State College, the Walton County School District and the DeFuniak Springs Rotary Club will host CareerFest 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the NWF State College Chautauqua Center, 908 Hwy. 90 West in DeFuniak Springs. 
Juniors and seniors from the Walton district high schools as well as members of the public can learn about occupations and careers through personal conversations with professionals from various career fields. Call 892-8100.

Medicare seminar
Free Medicare informational seminars will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at Grace Lutheran Church, 4325 West Commons Drive in Destin. Registration begins 30 minutes before sessions. Light refreshments will be served. Make reservations at 543-6303.

Holiday Show and Sale Extravaganza
The Volunteer Guild at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast will host its annual Holiday Show and Sale Extravaganza from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 9 and 10 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 in the main hallway. Call 278-3032.

Community Yard Sale
The Destin History and Fishing Museum will hold a Community Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 at the Museum, 108 Stahlman Ave. Baked goods and soft drinks, crafts and yard sale items will be sold.
Vendor spaces are being sold as a tax-deductible donation to the Museum.  Those participating are to provide their own tables and other things needed to display their sale items. Booths are limited and on a first come, first serve basis. A 10x10 space is $25 and 10x20 space is $50.
Vendors need to have their registration and payment turned in by 2 p.m. Nov. 4. Call 837-6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@embarqmail.com to reserve a space.

Canine Carnival 2009
Alaqua Animal Refuge needs vendors for the 2009 Canine Carnival to be held Nov. 14 at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach. The event includes music, games and contests for children and their canine buddies, pets for adoption and more. For information and vendor applications, call 267-3123 or e-mail dranic@embarqmail.com.

Benefit for OASIS  
A benefit for Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services will be held Nov. 7 at the Sheraton Four Points on Okaloosa Island. This will be an evening of food, entertainment, a silent auction and a fashion show with a twist. For ticket information, to donate items to the auction or to volunteer, call 314-0950.
 
Chambers’ seminar
The Destin Area and Greater Fort Walton Beach Chambers of Commerce will host a two-hour program, People, Prospects, & Profit, proven to help businesses convert more prospects to profits from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Four Points Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach, 1325 Miracle Strip Pkwy. on Okaloosa Island.
Noted speakers and authors of Meet Me At Starbucks, 101 Networking Nuggets, and Is Your Networking Working?, Glen Gould and Benjamin Turpin will share with proven techniques and little-known secrets that will super-charge results.
Cost is $20/Chamber members and $40/non-members. Register at www.destinchamber.com or www.fwbchamber.org. For information, call 837-6241 or 244-8191.

Camellia Show
The 46th Annual Camellia Show, presented by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 in the atrium of Westwood Retirement Resort, 1001 Mar Walt Drive in Fort Walton Beach. Admission is free.
No entries will be accepted for competition after 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14. For more information or to volunteer to help with the show, call 477-3625 or 803-1161 or e-mail camelliafwb@cox.net.
 
Covenant Hospice Garage Sale
The annual Covenant Hospice Garage Sale will be held Nov. 20-21 at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach. Items needed include furniture, housewares, appliances, jewelry, books, toys, etc. No clothing will be accepted. Big ticket items are also needed such as cars trucks, boats and RVs. All donations are tax-deductible and the proceeds benefit Covenant Hospice patient and family services in Okaloosa and Walton counties. To donate, call 729-1800.
 
Kids in the Kitchen
Sarah K's Gourmet and 30a Media Inc will film a regular segment featuring local children ages 4 to 14 who aspire to be chefs. Segment will teach nutrition, cooking skills and math skills while showcasing a young chef.
Send recent picture of child along with age, contact information and age appropriate recipe to Sarah K's Gourmet, 34940 U.S. 98, Suite 183 Destin FL 32541.
The recipes must meet be 10 ingredients or less, simple and fresh ingredients, family friendly and age appropriate cooking processes.

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 t 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.
•Ballroom dance classes: Learn swing, Latin and ballroom dance from 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. Cost: $10/person.
•Chair yoga: 10 a.m. Thursdays. Cost: $2.
•Dodgeball: 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays for ages 17 and up.
•Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Entry fee: $5. No partner needed.
•Fencing: From 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 678-9190.
•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.
•Line dancing: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays for beginners and intermediates Begins Nov. 4. Cost $5.
•Low impact aerobics: 9:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Begins Nov. 2. Bring water and a towel. Cost $3.
•Table tennis: 8 to 11 a.m. Thursdays.
•Volleyball: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
•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 at 11 a.m. Thursdays. Cost: $6.