Community Happenings Aug. 2
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
National Night Out
The Sheriff’s Office, the City of Destin and Target have partnered for National Night Out from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Destin Community Center. National Night Out is a night once a year to promote and educate citizens about neighborhood watch. Target is a national sponsor, so our local Targets will provide hotdogs, chips and drinks for the event.
Big Truck Day
The City of Destin’s 16th Annual Big Truck Day will be held from 9-11 a.m. Aug. 7 in the Destin Community Center parking. Event is free for children of all ages.
Candidate forum
The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsor The Destin Log will host a forum for candidates for the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 in the City Council Chambers in the Destin City Hall Annex.
Candidates will make an opening and closing statement and answer five questions from the Chamber and The Log. As time allows, questions will be accepted from the audience. To submit a question, email to The Log editor Matt Algarin at malgarin@thedestinlog.com. There will also be an opportunity to submit questions in writing before the forum begins. Call 837-6241.
Summer Food Service Program
Free nutritionally balanced breakfasts and lunches will be provided to all children 18 and younger regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin during summer vacation. Hours are 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon at Destin Elementary School and 8-8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Destin Family YMCA through Aug. 8.
Farmer’s Market
The merchants of Downtown Fort Walton Beach will hold a Farmer’s Market from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 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.
‘Cram the Van’
The United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties will partner with Destin Walmart in an effort to provide needed school supplies to local children for the upcoming school year.
Shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9 and drop school supplies off at the van in the parking lot.
On sale now
Copies of the book, “Poems for the Young at Heart,” by Destin’s Lt. Col. (Ret) Samuel Lombardo, are now on sale at Barnes & Noble in Destin. Cost is $19. Lombardo will be scheduling book signings at a later date. To read about the book, visit www.thedestinlog.com/community/destin-poet-inspired-by-natural-beauty-1.332509.
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. Call 499-4697.
Bridge
Duplicate Bridge, ACBL, will be held at 9:50 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 307 Harbor Blvd. in Destin. Cost is $5. No partner necessary. For more information e-mail halsyst@aol.com
Oyster Shell Bagging
Bag fossilized oyster shell for use in future oyster reefs from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 12 at the South Walton NWFSC Center, 109 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach. Wear clothes and close-toed shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring sunscreen, snacks, a water bottle and a hat. Water and gloves will be provided. RSVP to gwinr@nwfsc.edu.
Oyster Reef Construction
Unload bagged oyster shell and help to place the bagged shell in the water at a reef site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 14 at Marina Cove Townhomes in Niceville. Wear clothes and close-toed shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring sunscreen, snacks, a water bottle and a hat. Water and gloves will be provided. RSVP to gwinr@nwfsc.edu.
Summer Splash Day
The City of Destin will host its annual Summer Splash Day for ages 5-12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15. There will be slip’n slides, a monster wave slide and a bounce house that includes an obstacle course and slide. Lunch and afternoon snack are provided. Fee is $30/residents and $40/non-residents.
Alzheimer’s support group
Covenant Alzheimer’s Services will hold a support group for family members or friends coping with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at Sacred Heart of the Emerald Coast, Suite 3 Conference Room. Call 866-478-7790.
ACT/SAT workshop
A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the Sept. 13 ACT and Oct. 11 SAT will be held from 2:15-4:15 p.m. Sept. 8, 9, 10, 15 and 16 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 Aug. 21. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, email Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school guidance department.
Bird/rare plant walk
Rare Plant biologist Tom Greene will lead a tour Aug. 30 of wet prairies of Point Washington State Forest, which harbors a multitude of carnivorous plants, and possibly Bachmann’s Sparrow. Bring water, insect repellent, long pants and shoes or boots that can take wet conditions. Meet at the eastern end of the Sandestin Walmart parking lot at 8:15 a.m. Call 694-6403.
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.
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.