Community happenings

Blood drive
Tropical Smoothie Café in Destin will host a blood drive with the American Red Cross from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at the store in Destin Commons. Walk-ins welcome or visit www.givelife.org to schedule an appointment.

Cablethon
The 37th annual Cox Communications Cablethon benefiting Covenant Hospice will be held Feb. 27-28 on Channel 6

Really Really Free Market
The Really Really Free Market will hold their monthly event on Sunday, March 1 at noon in Clement Taylor Park. The group invites the community to bring items that they would like to give away, take things that they want, enjoy food and music and take a break from “capitalistic notions.” This event is completely free.
For more information, contact the Free Market at destinfreemarket@yahoo.com.

2009 Destin Jr. Lifeguards
The eight-week Destin Beach Safety Jr. Lifeguard Program offers school credits to those who qualify. Jr. Lifeguards learn first aid, CPR, surf skills, scuba diving and boater’s safety. They also take field trips to the Fishing Pier, U.S. Coast Guard Station, Emerald Coast Scuba and Destin Fire Station.
Sign up begins March 2. For  information, call (850) 837-8413 or e-mail DestinBeachSafety@yahoo.com

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of March 2-6:
•Monday: Turkey and white beans.
•Tuesday: Country fried steak.
•Wednesday: Tuna mac salad.
•Thursday: Italian style pork.
•Friday: Oven fried chicken.

Boating seminars
Boating seminars, geared toward local boaters, begin 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 or call 315-0686.
Seminars include:
•March 2: Sail Trim and Rig Tuning.
•March 9: Anchoring.
•March 16: Using VHF and VHF DSC radios.
•March 23: How To Use A Chart.
•March 30: On Board Weather Forecasting.

UWF course
The University of West Florida Division of Continuing Education will offer “Photoshop for the Web” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, March 3-24, in Bldg. 78, Room 136 on the UWF main campus in Pensacola. The cost is $99. 
Visit http://ContinuingEd.uwf.edu or call 474-2914 to register.

DC Kid’s Club Read & Grow
Destin Commons’ Kids Club will feature Read ‘n Grow from 10 to 11 a.m. March 5 at the Playground. Children will learn through book reading, singing, art activities and more. The Zoo of Northwest Florida will bring some animals for an interactive educational session.

Okaloosa County Business Expo & Largest Office Party
Join the Destin Area, Greater Fort Walton Beach and Niceville Valparaiso chambers of commerce and their members for Okaloosa County Business Expo & Largest Office Party March 5 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. 
The Expo, open to the public to attend at no charge, begins at 4 p.m., and Okaloosa County’s Largest Office Party begins at 5:30 p.m.  All festivities will end at 7 p.m.
Sponsorship and booth opportunities are available. For more information, contact your chamber of commerce:  Destin Area (850) 837-6241; Greater Fort Walton Beach (850) 244-8191; and Niceville Valparaiso (850) 678-2323.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.
•March 6: A walk through town at 6 p.m. with dinner afterwards. Call 484-0528.
•March 7: Backpacking hike at 8 a.m. from Bear Lake to Blackwater River State Park. Day hike options available. Call 623-1646.
•March 13: Beach hike at 8 a.m. on the Dunes Trail with lunch afterwards. Call 932-5469.
•March 14: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance on Eglin at 8 a.m. Call 682-6098 or 546-1172.
•March 14: A hike in Blackwater Forest at 8 a.m. Call 994-5944.
•March 15: Wake up hike at 6 a.m. with breakfast afterwards. Call 995-4267.
•March 21: A 7.6 mile hike on Eglin from Hwy. 85 to Jr Walton Pond at 8:30 a.m. Call 683-0803.
•March 21: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance in Blackwater Forest at 8 a.m. Call 983-2557.
•March 22: A hike in Blackwater River State Forest on the Jackson Red Ground Trail at 8 a.m. Call 939-0966.
•March 24: Monthly meeting at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville at 6 p.m. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.
•March 27: Annual Conference and Hiking Festival at Stephen Foster State Park at White Springs, Fla. Call (877) HIKE-FLA.
•March 28-29: A hike at 8 a.m. from Karick Lake to Hurricane Lake with optional camping. Call 623-1646.  
           
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.
•Swim team: For developmental group and age group to seniors. Call for information.

International Potluck Dinner Challenge and Raffle
The Relay for Life — ECJC “Chai” Five Team Event will host an International Potluck Dinner Challenge and Raffle from 5:30 to 9 p.m. March 7 in the Christ the King Episcopal Church Meeting Hall, 480 N. County Hwy. 393 in Santa Rosa Beach.
Entrance fee is an international dish to share. Attendees will vote for their favorite dish and its creator will win a prize.
Call 598-6101 for reservations, questions and International dish sign-up.
Donations, gift certificates, and assistance are welcome.

Monte Carlo night
The Children’s Advocacy Center will host a Vegas style Monte Carlo casino night with a live auction at 6 p.m. March 7 at the Kelly Plantation Golf Club. Entertainment by Clark and Company, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and live auction items include a weekend in Green Bay with Packers Zeke Bratkowski and Bart Starr and trips to Mexico City, Orlando and New York.
Tickets are $50/person and include $25 in play money. For tickets, call 833-9237, Ext. 259. 
The annual golf event will be March 8. Player slots still available.

Handicapped Citizens Drive
The Knights of Columbus, Christ Our Redeemer Council #13527, annual Handicapped Citizens Drive (Tootsie Roll Drive) will be held March 11-15 at Wal-Mart in Destin and Winn Dixie and Ace Hardware in Bluewater Bay. A Tootsie Roll is given for each donation.
Funds will help Horizons, Inc., Special Olympics and Resources for Human Development.

Casino Night
The Junior League of the Emerald Coast will host a Casino Night March 14 at The Palms Resort in Destin. Dress in cocktail attire and give lady luck a try with complementary $20,000 in playing money. Dance to the tunes of Monte Carlo Entertainment and enjoy door prizes, silent auction items, and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
Tickets are $60/advance and $70/door. Call 862-2665 or purchase online at www.jlec.org
Proceeds will provide the fundraising foundation for the JLEC to continue community initiatives.

Women’s Expo
Cumulus Broadcasting will host a “Women’s Expo” from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 14 at the Emerald Grande in Destin. The Expo will include shopping, entertainment, free health screenings, demonstrations, educational presentations, cooking exhibits, free samples and prizes.
Parking and admission is free. Call 243-2323.

Volunteers needed for Cattle Barons’ Ball
The Emerald Coast Unit of the American Cancer Society needs community volunteers for the second annual Cattle Barons’ Ball to be held at  6 p.m. March 14 at Destin Commons.
Volunteers are needed for numerous areas to be staffed such as entry registration, logistics, decorating, silent auction, ambassador hosts and many more. Individuals, civic organizations and churches are encouraged to volunteer.
A limited number of Baron/Baroness sponsorships are available, as well as table sponsorships and individual tickets. To volunteer, or for sponsor and ticketing information, call 244-3813, Ext. 120.

Spring Craft Show
The second annual Spring Craft Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 14 at the Destin Community Center. Admission is free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Call 654-5184.

Model search
modelscoutbennett  and bennettprophoto of Destin will host Wilhelmina model management for a model search from  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15 at the Country Inn and Suites Hotel in Destin. Ages are 5 and up; no height requirement. No photos are necessary. Venue fee is $40 to participate. Pre-register at 625 Harbor Blvd., Bldg. 1 prior to the event or at the door. Call 424-6095.

Career and Job Fair
The Career Resource Center at Northwest Florida State College will host an area-wide Career and Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 18 at the Niceville Campus.
There are limited openings for area businesses who would like to participate. The deadline to apply is March 2. Call the NWF State College Career Resource Center at 729-5227.

Destin Commons
Events planned at Destin Commons in March include the following to be held in Center Plaza. Call 337-8700 or visit www.DestinCommons.com for more information.
•On the Coast Magazine sixth Anniversary Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21. A family fun day with plenty of activities for children, demonstrations and special guests.
•Spring Fashion Show from 4 to 5 p.m. March 28. Spring fashions, make up tips and the latest in hair styles from Avantgarde.

Metaphysical Festival
The seventh annual Emerald Coast Metaphysical Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 21 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 22 at the Navarre Conference Center at Days Inn, 8700 Navarre Parkway (U.S. 98). The public is invited.
The festival, hosted by Unlimited Horizons of the Emerald Coast, will feature vendors, psychics, readers, healers and speakers.
A donation of $10 will be requested at the door. For a listing of participants, visit www.unlimited-horizons.org

Green Thumb Garden Club
The Green Thumb Garden Club of Santa Rosa Beach will host a motorcoach tour to the annual Mobile Flower Show, “Festival of Flowers,” March 28-29. Trip also includes shopping in Fairhope, area touring, a dinner cruise and Bellingrath Gardens. For a brochure, call 627-0441. 

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.