Community Happenings May 3
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
Farmers’ Market
The Destin Harbor Farmers’ Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at 314 Harbor Blvd. Items include farm fresh produce, baked goods, Greek, Mediterranean, Indian, Italian and Mexican food, organic dog treats and more.
ECMS
Deborah Merwin, co-owner of Feelin’ Good Health Food Store in Destin and holistic health counselor, will speak when the Emerald Coast Meditation Society meets at 6:30 p.m. May 1 at 480 N. Co. Hwy. 393 in Santa Rosa Beach. Her topic will be “From Caterpillar Mush to Butterfly.” Email nancyjames@embarqmail.com for information.
Beach clean-up
The Emerald Coast Parrot Head Club will have a beach clean-up and party beginning at 9:30 a.m. May 3 at Beach Access #2 on Okaloosa Island. Bring snacks, sunscreen and drinks.
State of the County
The League of Women Voters of Okaloosa County and the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce present the 15th annual State of the County Report at 10 a.m. May 3 in their conference room at 34 Miracle Strip Parkway SE. The event is free and open to the public. Coffee will be served.
Garden Mart
The Destin Garden Club will have a Plant Sale & Garden Mart from 8 a.m. to noon May 3 on the grounds of the Destin Library, 150 Siebert Ave. Items for sale include small bedding plants, herbs, dune daisies, many one-of-a-kind plants as well as pass-a long plants. Master Gardeners from Okaloosa and Walton Counties will be available to answer questions. All proceeds go to the landscaping and education funds at the Destin Library.
Diabetes class
Jenny Stuckey, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, will host self-management classes from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 6 and 7 for adults with diabetes who are looking for ways to manage their disease. Pre-registration required and a physician referral is needed to attend. Call 278-3683.
Emerald Warrior
Air Force Special Operations Command will host Emerald Warrior through May 9 to train special operations forces, conventional, interagency and partner nation forces in combat scenarios focused on integrated tactics and multi-service command and control. Training events will take place on ranges in the southeast U.S. at Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base and Apalachicola in Florida; Camp Shelby and Stennis in Mississippi; Pelham Range in Alabama; and Melrose Range in New Mexico. Residents may see an increase in military activity in their area to include a higher than usual number of military vehicles and aircraft noise during the nighttime hours and hear simulated munitions fire.
Narconon
Abuse of addictive pharmaceutical drugs is on the rise. Learn to recognize the signs of drug abuse and get your loved ones help if they are at risk. Call Narconon for a free brochure on the signs of addiction for all types of drugs. Narconon also offers free assessments and referrals. Call 800-431-1754 or email DrugAbuseSolution.com.
Alzheimer’s support group
Alzheimer’s Family Services hosts a new support group for family members or friends coping with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease at 2 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at Sacred Heart of the Emerald Coast, Suite 3 Conference Room in Miramar Beach. The support group is free and limited respite care is available. To make arrangements, call 866-478-7790.
Free skin screenings
Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology supports American Academy of Dermatology’s nationwide efforts to raise awareness of melanoma and other types of skin cancer by offering free skin cancer screenings from 1-4 p.m. May 5 in their office, 12469 Emerald Coast Parkway in Miramar Beach. They will accept walk-ins and people of all ages.
EDC roundtable
The Economic Development Council will host its next roundtable event, “The Future of Transportation,” from 7:30-9:30 a.m. May 6 at the Ramada Plaza Beach Resort on Okaloosa Island. Attendees must register prior to event for $25, which includes breakfast buffet, at http://www.florida-edc.org/news/events.aspx, caroline@florida-edc.org or 362-6467.
Volunteen
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center’s Volunteen program, open to students ages 13 to 18 from June 8-Aug. 14, has applications available through May 7 at the administration office, 1000 Mar-Walt Dr. A mandatory orientation for teens will be held from 3-5:30 p.m. May 14. Parents are welcome; bring immunization records. Call 863-7501 or 651-6552.
Flea Market/Yard Sale
Vendor spots are available for those interested in selling items for a fee of $20/Destin residents and $25/non-residents during the Flea Market and Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 10 in the parking lot of the Destin Community Center. No rain date. Call 654-5184 for all information.
Food drive
The 22nd Annual National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive will be held May 10 and will help local food banks restock their pantries. The carriers will collect non-perishable and non-expired food items from local residents. Place your donations in a bag next to your mailbox for letter carrier to pick up while on their regular routes.
Audubon Society
Join photopaddler and birder Walt Spence May 10for a bird float on Niceville area bayous. Register at 582-7064. There are no charges or fees, and participants must furnish their own canoes or kayaks, as well as paddles, safety equipment, and personal supplies. Those wishing to bring cameras or binoculars are advised to bring water-proof storage, such as a dry bag or large zip-lock.
Farmer’s Market
The merchants of Downtown Fort Walton Beach will hold a Farmer’s Market from 8 a.m. to noon May 10 in downtown Fort Walton Beach, 201 S.E. Miracle Strip Parkway in the grassy area behind Burrito Del Sol and Bella Day Spa & Hair Studio.
Future dates include June 14, July 12 and Aug. 9.
Workshop
ASTD Emerald Coast Chapter hosts a professional development workshop, “Training Generation Why” by Amber Aziza, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13 at Northwest Florida State College, Niceville Campus, Student Services Center. Cost is $79. Visit http://astdemeraldcoast.memberlodge.org
Leaders in Business Lunch
The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leaders In Business Lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13 at Destin United Methodist Church. Nathan Sparks, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, will give an overview of the latest happenings in economic development in the area. Cost is $15/members who pre-register, $20/members at the door, and $30/non-members.
Shop for a Job
Silver Sands Premium Outlets will hold Shop for a Job from 12-4 p.m. May 17. Pick up a list of all participating stores at the Information Center between Michael Kors and DKNY.
Training session
Shelter House and the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence will offer a free day of training, Exploring the Intersection of Family Violence, Trauma and Mental Health, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 20 at Embassy Suites in Destin. Pre-registration required; call 243-1201 for information.
Relay for Life
The 2014 Relay for Life of the Emerald Coast, a family-friendly, outdoor and overnight fundraising event where teams take turns walking, will be held May 16-17 at Destin Middle School. Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m.
The event celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers and raises funds for the ACS’s for research, education, prevention, advocacy and patient services. This year’s event theme is “Heroes for Hope — Finishing the Fight.” Call 240-4300.
Seminar
Covenant Hospice will offer a free seminar, “Difficult Conversations,” at 5:15 p.m. May 20 at 220 Eglin Parkway NE in Mariner Plaza. Registration required by May 16 at 598-0861.
ACT/SAT workshop
A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the June 14 ACT and the June 7 SAT will be held from 2:15-4:15 p.m. May 27, 28 and 29 and from 2-5 p.m. June 2 and 3 in the Media Center at Fort Walton Beach High School. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is May 5. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, email Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school guidance department.
Dental x-rays
The NWFSC dental assisting students offer free dental X-rays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, May 29-June 27. Call 729-6480 to schedule an appointment.
Class of ‘94
Fort Walton Beach High School’s Class of ‘94 will hold a reunion weekend June 20-21. For details, visit www.fwbhs1994.com.
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.
• Adult Open Gym: Monday from 6-9 p.m. for 17 and up to play full-court pickup basketball games. Destin residents are free and non-residents are $2.
• Brazilian Martial Arts: A Capoeira class that combines the elements of dance, acrobatics and music from 7-9 p.m. Thursday.
• Chair Yoga: Monday and Thursday at 10 a.m. Cost is $4.
• Duplicate bridge: Monday and Thursday at 9:15 a.m. and Wednesdays at 12:30. Entry fee: $6. No partner needed.
• Intermediate party bridge: Monday and Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. at Buck Destin Park on Legion Drive. Call 837-1967. Cost $2.
• Kidz Klub: After-school program from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for grades K-4. Snacks provided.
• Line dancing: Beginners class begins at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, open dance at 1:15 and intermediate dancers at 1:30. Fee is $5.
• Low Impact Aerobics: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:15 a.m. Cost is $3/session.
• MMA Fitness: Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7 p.m. for all ages. Cost is $7/person. Grappling bags and gloves provided.
• Pickleball: All levels, including first timers, welcome. Cost is $2/resident and $3/non-resident.
• Shotokan Karate: Class promotes life enrichment, physical fitness, discipline, focus and self-defense at 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Fee is $65/month.
• Table tennis: Competition from 2:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
• Turbo kick: Fitness class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Fee is $10.
• Walking Club: Monday-Friday from 8-9 a.m. Walk with music.
• Woodcarving: Fridays at 9 a.m. Fee is $2.
• Yoga: Bring a mat and towel at noon Thursdays. Cost is $6.
• Zumba gold: Mondays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $6.