Community Happenings Aug. 30
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
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.
Believe It or Not
Ripley’s Believe It or Not attractions in Florida will show support for K-12 educators with free admission from Sept. 2-Oct. 19 in Panama City Beach, St. Augustine, Key West and Orlando. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff are eligible; just bring current pay stub and photo ID. Up to five guests get 50 percent off their admission.
Audubon Society
The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society will host a special program on the History of our Rivers and the Role of our Forests with a presentation by Barbara Albrecht at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 in room 130 of the NWFSC Student Services Center. Call 699-0977.
• Sept. 20: Bird Walk at the Fort Walton holding ponds, the most productive site for shorebird species in Okaloosa County. Meet at the Coach and Four Restaurant, 1313 N. Lewis Turner Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach at 7:30 a.m. Bring a hat, water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Call 210-343-9082.
• Sept. 27: Bird Walk at Niceville bayous and spray fields, searching for a variety of water birds, migrating songbirds, and even wild turkeys. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and any spotting scopes or binoculars which you may wish to use. Meet in front of Badcock Furniture in Bayou Plaza, 699 John Sims Parkway, at 7:30 a.m. Call 863-2039.
Jewelry/accessories sale
A Jewelry and Accessories $5 sale, sponsored by Masquerade Jewelry Fundraising, will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 4 and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 5 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, 1000 Mar Walt Drive. Proceeds fund annual scholarships to area high school students. Call 496-2390.
Fall Flair
The sixth annual Fall Flair Arts And Crafts Show, sponsored by Destin United Methodist Women, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 in the Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive. Booths feature baked goods, homemade crafts, jewelry, books, Christmas items and more. Proceeds go directly to the church, which goes to the local community. Dine at the Soul Café.
Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market
The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Grand Park in Miramar Beach between Cantina Laredo and Tommy Bahama’s.Vendors will offer locally sourced food-based items including produce, eggs, milk, butter, grass-fed beef, chicken, lamb, and pork, honey, pickled vegetables and gourmet jams.
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.
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
Benefit race
The first Paddle for Tomorrows Standup Paddleboard Race to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, rained out on July 19, will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 6 at the Fort Walton Yacht Club, 180 Ferry Road. It is sponsored by Little Caesars of Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther. Children’s activities, food, drinks, awards, music, and prize drawings follow the race. Register online at www.active.com/fort-walton-beach-fl/races/paddle-for-tomorrows-2014.
FunRun
The Fifth Annual Hollyday FunRun will be held at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 6, starting at the Cabana Cafe in Ariel Dunes I in Seascape Resort. Early registration is available at www.active.com. Proceeds will benefit Shred Out Cancer, a non-profit organization in memory of local teen Holly Burke. Door prizes will be raffled, and participants will receive T-shirts, prizes, and goodie bags. Call 225-1648 or 582-0806.
College Night
A free annual event that features representatives from more than 60 colleges and universities from several states, College Night will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 10 in The Arena on the Northwest Florida State College campus in Niceville. College Night provides NWF State College students, high school students, their parents and others the opportunity to gather information, ask questions and plan for college or university transfer. Call 729-6467.
Day for Kids
The annual Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast’s “Day for Kids” will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. Fun activities will be held in the areas of academics, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles and includes scavenger hunts, arts/crafts, math/science games, hula hoop, jump rope, fitness challenges for children and adults, kickball, magic show by Pittman Magic, relay races and more.
Seminar
Covenant Hospice will offer a free seminar, “An Ethical Overview of Care at The End of Life,” at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Fort Walton Beach branch office, 220 Eglin Parkway NE in Mariner Plaza. Healthcare professionals can expect to learn to define ethics and recognize basic bioethical principles, identify the difference between ethical theories, recognize steps in ethical decision making, identify ethical dilemmas in healthcare and hospice and determine how to reach decisions. Reservations required by Sept. 12 at 598-0861.
Alzheimer’s support group
Covenant Alzheimer’s Services will hold a free support group for family members or friends coping with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease at 2 p.m. Sept. 30 at Sacred Heart of the Emerald Coast, Suite 3 Conference Room. Call 866-478-7790. Meets last Tuesday of every month.
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.