Community Happenings 3-6

All area codes are 850 unless noted.

Job Fair

Sand Dollar Human Resources will host Back to the Beach Seasonal Job Fair from 4-7 p.m. March 7 at the Courtyard by Marriott at Grand Boulevard. It will include drug testing, background screening, and reference validation onsite.  Employee hiring paperwork and payroll will also be available for any business to streamline and accelerate its hiring process.  All applicants are encouraged to bring their most up-to-date resume to the job fair Thursday evening.

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

• March 7: Monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Room 132 of the new Student Services Center at Northwest Florida State College’s main campus in Niceville. The meeting is free and open to the public. Call 582-7064.

• March 16: Bird and Nature Walk at Topsail Hill with Ross Hamilton. Meet at the Winn Dixie at Bluewater Bay at 7:30 a.m. or at Topsail Hill at 7:55 a.m. Call 582-7064.

• March 23: Bird and Nature Walk in the Upland Hardwoods of Walton County with master gardener Dave Gordon. See hawks, bluebirds, blooming mountain laurel, native azaleas, and other flora and topography more often associated with piedmont areas. Meet at Food World in Niceville at 7:30 a.m. and the Walton County Extension Office on Hwy 83N at 8 a.m. Be ready for a walk on a forest path. Call 401-1578.

Lenten Fish Fry

The Knights of Columbus, Emerald Coast Council #11893, will hold a fish fry from 3-7 p.m. March 8 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 307 Beach Drive in Destin. Cost is $9/adults and $4/children. All money goes to charity. Call 837-9344 for advance tickets.

Topsail tours

• Learn about and view the Sun with Bill Nigg from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day in March in the amphitheater at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Program requires a $6 entry admission. Call 267-8330.

• Ranger Fred hosts campfire chats at 6 p.m. every Tuesday in the amphitheater at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Program requires a $6 entry admission. Call 267-8330.

• View the stars with Bill Nigg from 7:30-9 p.m. every Friday in March in the amphitheater at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. At 8:30 p.m., Nigg also presents a slide show. Program requires a $6 entry admission. Call 267-8330.

• Learn the full history of Florida's most famous reptile, the alligator, at an informative slideshow presentation a 3 p.m. March 8 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Program requires a $6 entry admission. Call 267-8330.

• Breakfast with a Ranger at 9 a.m. March 9.  To cover the cost of the food please bring $5, which also goes to the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast.

• Learn what makes the coastal dune lakes so special at 2 p.m. March 16 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Program requires a $6 entry admission. Call 267-8330.

• Join Ranger Tammy and scan the forest for shining eyes at 6 p.m. March 24 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Program requires a $6 entry admission. Call 267-8330. Bring a flashlight or headlamp.

• A hike will focus on the effects of fire in our ecosystem at 1:45 p.m. March 30 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Program requires a $6 entry admission. Call 267-8330.

Florida Trail Association

The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit www.choctaw.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.

 • March 9: A 7.6-mile hike on Eglin near Crestview begins at 9 a.m.  Eglin recreation permit required.  Call 683-0803.

 • March 13: A 7.2-mile hike at Conservation Park near Panama City Beach at 8:30 a.m.  Call 302-528-8284.

 • March 15-17: A 3-day 2 night backpacking trip across Eglin begins at 8 a.m.  Eglin recreation permit required.  Call 683-0803.

 • March 15-17: Annual conference at YMCA Camp McConnell between Gainesville and Micanopy.  Call 1-877-HIKE-FLA.

 • March 23: Five-mile hike on Eglin near DeFuniak Springs at 9 a.m. with a hot dog lunch after. Eglin recreation permit required.  Call 689-8528.

• March 26:  Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Ed’s Hometown Seafood & Steaks in Niceville.  Visitors welcome.  Call 654-1172.

 • March 29-April 6: Panhandle Trace nine days of hiking for a total of 100 miles. Do all nine days or part.  Call 982-9490.

Computer workshops

The Destin Library will offer the computer workshops Email 2 and Photo Sharing from 9:30-11:30 a.m. March 13. Workshops are open to individuals with a valid library card and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration required at the library or by fax. The last day for pre-registration will be two days prior to the scheduled workshop date. Call 837-8572.

Month of Giving

Destin Harvest will join forces with Jersey Mike’s Subs in Destin for the Third Annual March “Month of Giving” fundraising campaign. Customers can make donations to Destin Harvest at Jersey Mike’s, 817 Harbor Blvd. The campaign will culminate in the nationwide event, Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving,” March 27. On that day, 100 percent of the day’s sales will be donated.

Weight management event

Celebrate the upcoming release of a new shape shifting product line from 7-9 p.m. March 13 at the Emerald Grande, 10 Harbor Blvd.  Experience the future of weight loss, be the first to try the new products and have a change to win an iPad mini at the free event. RSVP to Colleen Riddle, certified personal trainer and Life Shotz Brand rep, at 598-7263 or Colleen@ElitePhysiquept.com.

AARP Income Tax help

Volunteers from AARP will provide free individual federal tax assistance on an appointment only basis at the Destin Library from 9 am. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through April 11. Call 837‐8572 and make an appointment.

Lecture

Mr. Dean Debolt will present History of the Florida Chautauqua at 6 p.m. March 15 at the Indian Temple Mound Museum, 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach. Seats are on a first come, first serve basis. Doors will open 20 minutes prior to lecture start time. Call 833-9595 or email hpcc@fwb.org.

Hats for Hope

The Destin Woman’s Club will host Hats for Hope, a fashion show and luncheon, at 11 a.m. March 16 at the Linkside Conference Center at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Features include a raffle row, designer table and silent auction delights. Proceeds will benefit Shelter House, the domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties. Tickets are available at Today’s Boutique in Destin, P.S. Gifts in Fort Walton Beach and Bayou Books in Niceville as well as online. Tickets are $45.

Team parties

Team parties for the 2013 Destin Relay for Life will be held at 6 p.m. March 20 at the Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island. Call 318-455-9400 or email emccor-mick002@yahoo.com.

Purses with a Purpose

Purses with a Purpose returns to Silver Sands Premium Outlets from 6-8 p.m. March 22 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23 in the storefront between Carter’s and Bose, with proceeds to benefit Shelter House.  VIP Party is March 22 with a $5 donation and includes first pick, food from Carrabba’s, beverages and door prizes. Admission is free March 23.

ACT/SAT workshop

A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the April 13 ACT and the May 4 SAT will be held from 2-5 p.m. April 11, 12, 17 and 18 at Niceville High School and from 2-5 p.m. April 9,10, 15 and 16 at Fort Walton Beach High School. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is March 25. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, email Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school Guidance Department.

Spring Wild Children’s Camp

Spring Break Camp for grades 1-6 will be held March 18-22, March 25-29 and April 1-5 at HarborWalk Village. Camp includes wildlife encounters, marine education and wildlife fun, and beach activities. Cost is $150/week with family discounts available. To register, call 650-1880 or email sleveille@eccwildliferefuge.com.

Holy Kidz Camp

Holy Kidz Camp will host its Spring Break Camp for all children in grades K-5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, March 25-29, at the Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church.  This year's theme is "Why We Celebrate Easter and What It Has to Do with Jesus." Children will learn the story of Jesus' participation in Easter through crafts, games, cooking, stories, songs, and other surprises. Cost is $100/student per week, $80/siblings.  Applications are now being accepted for student volunteers ages 13 and up. Call 586-8264 or register at www.holykidzcamps.com.

ADSO Luncheon

Brenda Stokes, potter and owner, with husband Marty and son, Jason, of Holley Hill Pottery & Art Studio, will be the featured speaker at the Arts & Design Society's March Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. March 28 at the Arts Center Gallery, 17 First St. in Fort Walton Beach. Cost is $12. Make reservations by March 25 at adsoluncheon@yahoo.com or call 585-4967.

NWFSC 50th Anniversary

A yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration of Northwest Florida State College officially begins with a festive 50th Anniversary Kick-Off Assembly from 9-10 a.m. April 17 in the Raiders Arena. The event also features the dedication and opening of a permanent Doolittle Raiders historical exhibit that is being constructed in the lobby of The Arena. The doors for the public will open at 8 a.m. and admittance will continue until The Arena reaches seating capacity. The public should enter through the Raider Club doors at the south side of The Arena, rather than the main doors.

Panhandle Job Fair

The Spring 2013 Panhandle Job Fair will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at St. Mary’s Parish Life Center, 165 Coral Drive in Fort Walton Beach.

Register booths at www.panhandlejobfair.com. Cost is $175 and includes table, cloth, two chairs, Wi-Fi and electrical outlets (limited, reserve early). Also lite breakfast, hot lunch, sodas and water.

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.

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.

• Baton lessons: Begins in the spring. Call 699-8309.

• Chair yoga: Thursday at 10 a.m. Cost is $3/class.

• Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Buck Destin Park. Entry fee: $6. No partner needed.

• Game room: Open to children 10 and older and under 10 accompanied by adult from 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday.

• Intermediate party bridge: Mondays and Tuesdays at 12:45 p.m. at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.

• Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call 621-3055. 

• Kidz Klub: After-school program from 3:30-5:30 p.m. 

• Modern line dance: Classes from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 11. Fee is $5/class.

• Open gym: Check ahead for times and dates open.

• Pickle ball: Pickle Ball courts will be set up at noon Mondays and Thursdays for beginning players and 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays for advanced players. Fee is $2.

• Table tennis: 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays.

• Tennis Academy: A tennis program with USPTA Professional Brian Wilson at Buck Destin Park on Legion Drive. This program will be open to all ages and abilities with days and times to be determined. Group classes will be one hour long and cost $15 a session. Private lessons will be $50 an hour. To sign up or for more information, email srbtennispro@yahoo.com.

• Walking Club: Walk with music from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday.

• Woodcarving: Fridays at 9 a.m. Fee is $3.

• Yoga: Thursdays at noon. Cost is $5/class.

• Zumba gold: Thursday at 11 a.m. Cost is $6/class.