Community Happenings 9-8

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Job seeker workshop

The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties will sponsor workshops for job seekers Sept. 9 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. The workshops will feature Monster.com career experts.

The first session will run from 9 to 11 a.m. and include life skills, basic electronic job search and research, tips on choosing a career, resume review, and networking. The second session from 1:30 to 4 p.m. will include transitioning, detailed resumes, advanced job search, advanced research, networking, trade information, salary information and interviewing. You are not required to attend both sessions.

There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required. Register online at www.jobsplusonestop.com, click on the “Jobseeker Workshop” button and complete the application, or call 651-2315, ext. 209.

Library Card Sign-Up Month

Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative and Okaloosa County Transit have joined forces to provide free rides on the WAVE throughout the month of September as part of Library Card Sign-Up Month. Show a current library card from one of the six participating libraries or the bookmobile when boarding and ride free. Bus schedules can be found at all the libraries and on board the vehicles.
In order to get a free library card, residents should bring something with adequate proof of address. Residents of any military installation located within Okaloosa County are also eligible for free membership. Any employee of Okaloosa County or a member city may also apply for a free library card regardless of their place of residence. Visit www.co.okaloosa.fl.us or call 609-5102.

Free trees

Join the Arbor Day Foundation in September and 10 free live oak trees. The trees will be shipped postpaid between Oct. 15 and Dec. 10, at the right time for planting. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.

Send a $10 membership contribution to Ten Live Oaks, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by Sept. 30 or join online at www.arborday.org/september.

Bridgeway Senior Program

Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of Sept. 6-10:

•Wednesday: Smoked sausage.

•Thursday: Sloppy Joe.

•Friday: Chicken and dumplings.

Florida Trail Association

The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.

•Sept. 11: Open House and short hikes beginning each hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center. Call 492-8258.

•Sept. 12: Canoe or kayak for a float trip on Coldwater Creek at 9 a.m. from Hwy. 4 to Springhill Road. Call 484-9111. 

•Sept 15: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390. 

•Sept. 18: Canoe or kayak for a float trip on upper Yellow River in Alabama at 9 a.m. Call 682-6098. 

•Sept. 18: Five to six mile hike from Peaden Bridge to McVay Road at 8 a.m.  Call 484-0528 or 623-1646. 

•Sept. 21: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Ed’s Hometown Seafood & Steaks in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

•Sept. 22: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390. 

•Sept. 25: Canoe or kayak for a moonlight paddle trip on Boggy Bayou at 6:30 p.m. with dinner afterwards. Call 683-0803 or 729-0344. 

•Sept. 29: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390.

Computer workshops

The Destin Library will offer computer workshops in the David Neal Computer Lab or other locations at the library center. Workshops 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.

Workshops include E-Mail Internet Basics, Craigslist, Computer Basics, Facebook and Digital Photography. Registration forms and workshop descriptions can be viewed and downloaded at www.cityofdestin.com. Call 837-8572.

Volunteers needed

The Destin Library is looking for interested persons wishing to volunteer for its instructional computer program. Both instructors and teaching assistants are needed. Individuals interested in assisting with this program should possess intermediate skills using the Windows XP operating system and at least one other application program (Microsoft Office 2007: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, Internet Explorer) for instructional purposes. E-mail information to wrogers@cityofdestin.com.

Florida Literacy Month

To celebrate Florida Literacy Month, entrance to all of Florida’s state parks will be free Sept. 10-12 for visitors who bring a library card, library book or who donate a new or gently used family book.

Join the park rangers to read Where the Wild Things Are at Pavilion C in the day-use area at Henderson Beach State Park from 11 a.m. to noon Sept. 11.

Workshop for Vessels of Opportunity

A workshop for individuals who participated in the Vessels of Opportunity Program, regarding Federal Tax Implications associated with employment/rental/direct contract with BP and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Cleanup, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Destin Library. The program is free and open to the public. Individuals wishing to attend are encouraged to pre-register at 837‐8572 by Sept. 10.

Volunteers needed
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida needs volunteers to assist with greeting, reception and in the Gift Shop. Flexible days and times are available for 1 to 3 hour shifts. If interested, stop by the museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Arts & Crafts Show

The Destin United Methodist Women will sponsor the Second Annual Fall Flair Arts & Crafts Show from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive. A variety of items will be for sale by both local and out-of-town vendors. A bake sale will be feature homemade goodies and lunches will be available in the Soul Café. Proceeds will benefit missions.

Book signing
Destin’s Don Schroeder will sign copies of his autobiography, Air Raid Nights and Radio Days, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 in the Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive.

Cooking demonstration

The Fresh Market’s Fresh Flavors Cooking Demo featuring Mediterranean Chicken and Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Feta will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept.11 at Fresh Market on Commons Drive in Destin.

ECCA needs volunteers

The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center is actively recruiting new volunteers. An orientation session is scheduled at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Center. Individuals or groups looking to find out more about the Center and the Partner Agencies served at the Center are invited to attend. RSVP for the session at 833-9237, ext. 222 or e-mail katie@eccac.org. Light refreshments will be served.

Model search

JLynn Photograhy will host a model search for people of all ages on Sept. 11 in Destin.

Call 770-335-8424 to schedule an appointment.

Boating course

A five-week course, America’s Safe Boating Course 3, will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Anchorage building, 404 Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach. Tuition charge is $45 and materials are free. Call 863-0874

Boating seminar

A boating seminar, Anchoring, will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Anchorage, 404 Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach. Call 315-0686 or 474-2914. Registration is available online at www.uwf.edu.

•Sept. 20: Using your GPS for Navigation

•Oct. 4: How to use a Chart

•Oct. 18: Basic Coastal Navigation

Braille Transcription class

The Northwest FloridaVisionnaires, Inc. presents a free Library of Congress Braille Transcription

Certification class to teach the skills to transcribe textbooks for the blind children of Florida. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays, Sept. 13 through April at the First United Methodist Church Community Life Center in Niceville. Call 897-3383.

Volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed at The Destin History & Fishing Museum to greet visitors, take admissions, give tours and help at fundraisers. There are openings available from 10 to 1 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. If interested, call 837-6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@embarqmail.com. 

College Night
Representatives from more than 80 colleges and universities will be at College Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 in Bldg. K of the Northwest Florida State College Niceville campus. High school students, their parents, and others will have the opportunity to gather information, ask questions and plan for college. Call 729-5379.

Panhandle Job Fair

The Panhandle Job Fair Foundation is accepting employer registrations for the Fall Panhandle Job Fair Sept. 16 at Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach. Employers should now fill out the online registration form at www.panhandlejobfair.com or e-mail panhandlejobfair@cox.net. Registration proceeds from employers will benefit Take Stock in Children.

Employers will have access to highly motivated military members from the five Air Force and Naval installations in the area in addition to military veterans and civilian jobseekers. This is an opportunity for companies to recruit some of the most highly qualified, degreed, and technically skilled, professional personnel in the Southeast Region.

Open house/membership drive

The YMCA will hold an open house at the Destin YMCA Aquatic Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18 as they support national obesity month. There will be class demonstrations, a zumba jam, games, entertainment, and refreshments. Take advantage of the membership drive and join the YMCA for $1. The membership drive ends Sept. 30.

A 12-week program, Healthy Lifestyle Challenge, begins Sept. 29 and will focus on eating behavior, food choices and physical activity. Call 837-8440.

Education seminar

The Okaloosa County Master Gardeners will hold an education seminar featuring Buddy Lee to introduce new garden plants from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $10/pre-registered or $12/door. Call 650-2804 or 269-2170.

Day for Kids

The Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids will held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. This free event is open to the public, but children must be supervised at all times. Lunch, activities and prizes are provided.

ACT/SAT workshop

A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the Oct. 23 ACT and the Nov. 6 SAT will be held from 2:15 to 5:15 p.m. Oct. 19, 20, 25 and 26 at Fort Walton Beach High School and  from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 21, 22, 27 and 28 at Niceville High School. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is Oct. 7. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, e-mail Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school Guidance Department.

World War II speaker

The Heritage Museum will host James Crooke, World War II aviator, prisoner of war and author of “Berlin to the Gulf of Mexico”, for a discussion and book signing at 11 a.m. Sept. 22. This military history program is one of a series presented by the Heritage Museum this year in honor of Eglin's 75th Anniversary. Bring a sack lunch. This lecture is free and open to the public. To reserve a seat call, 678-2615.

Plant Clinics

Okaloosa County Horticulture Extension Agent Larry Williams will hold Plant Clinics for county residents from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22 and Oct. 27 at the Extension Annex Building, 127 Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach. Call 689-5850.

Day of Caring

United Way’s 17th Annual Day of Caring will be held Sept. 23 for the Destin/South Walton area. Breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 4325 Commons Drive in Destin. To volunteer to make a difference in the community, call 243-0315 or e-mail events@unitedway.org.

Coastal Beach Cleanup

The Florida Coastal Beach Cleanup will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Sept. 25 at Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island, Beach Park East of Surfdweller on Okaloosa Island, Henderson Beach State Park in Destin and at the Niceville High School Breezeway on John Sims Parkway. Volunteers receive free T-shirt and bottled water. Call 651-7131.

Conference

Through a grant awarded by the March of Dimes, the Healthy Start Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties will host a free conference, Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at Shalimar United Methodist Church, 1 Old Ferry Road in Shalimar. Light refreshments will be provided.  Registration is required at 833-9284 or visit www.healthystartokawalton.org.

Senior tours

For information on the following tours for seniors, call 594-9980.

•Israel - A Journey to the Holy Land: Bethlehem, Jericho, Sea of Galilee, Nazareth and other places of interest, Oct. 21-30.

Church bazaar

The 34th Annual Bayou Country Craft Bazaar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 23 at First United Methodist Church, 214 S. Partin Drive in Niceville. Proceeds will benefit missions. There will also be a silent auction, bake sale and lunch counter.

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.

•Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Entry fee: $6. 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: Mondays and Tuesdays at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.

•Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

•Open gym: Adult Full Court, 5 to 9 p.m. Monday; all ages, 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, pending special events.

•Table tennis: 8 to 11 a.m. Thursdays.

•Walk to music: From 7 to 7:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

•Woodcarving: Coastal Wood Carvers meet at 9 a.m. Fridays.