Community Happenings April 11
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
Adopt-A-Street
The city's quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup begins at 8 a.m. April 11 at city hall to receive bags, vests, etc. To sign up to adopt one of Destin's streets, call Hedy at 837-4242.
Cox Charity Auction
Presented by Cox and Home Instead Senior Care,the online auction series kicks off at 6 p.m. April 11 at www.CoxCharityAuction.com. Bid on items which start at 60 percent off the retail values and support the special programs and services Covenant Hospice offers to anyone in need of their special kind of caring. The month-long virtual fundraising event features four one-week auctions.
Touch-a-Truck
The Junior League of the Emerald Coast will present Touch-a-Truck from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11 at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Learn about and explore trucks, construction vehicles, and public safety equipment, enjoy crafts and games for children, free ice cream and a coloring contest. Admission is free with a donation for the Junior League accepted.
Resurrection Run
The 12th Annual Resurrection Run Destin at Village Baptist Church begins at 8 a.m. April 11 on Mark Street behind the church. This mission fund raiser includes your choice of a 5K Walk, 5K Run or 10K Run. The 5K Walk/Run goes to Crab Trap and back while the 10K Run goes to Pompano Joe’s and back.
Registration is $30 in advance and will include a sponsor goodie bag and race shirt. Awards will be presented two deep based on race chosen, age bracket and male/female. Visit www.villagebaptist.org or call 837-8107 for information/registration.
Storytime
Storytime and activities featuring the book, “I Wish You More,” begin at 11 a.m. April 11 at Barnes & Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin.
• Barnes & Noble in Destin presents a reading of “Skippyjon Jones” by Judy Schachner at 2 p.m. April 12. All ages are welcome.
•Storytime and activities featuring “Aqualicious” begin at 11 a.m. April 18 at Barnes & Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin. Pinkalicious and her family go on a trip to the beach for a day of sun, fun and sand castles.
•A reading of “The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak begins at 2 p.m. April 19 at Barnes & Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin. All ages are welcome.
•“The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend” by Dan Santat will be read at 2 p.m. April 26 at Barnes & Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin. All ages are welcome.
Destin Lax Jam
The Destin Rockets youth lacrosse organization will team up with Emerald Coast Wounded Warrior to raise awareness about local support for wounded warriors on April 11-12 as part of a youth lacrosse event at Morgan Sports Center in Destin. Games will begin with local area players competing at 9 a.m. and will continue through the afternoon on Saturday, with limited games on Sunday.
Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day 2015 at EDUtainment with Nonie's Ark Animal Encounters, recycling and how it affects our wildlife, at 3:30 p.m. April 13 at the Destin Community Center.
Evening with the Spine Experts
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast will host an evening with the experts event featuring spine health at 6 p.m. April 13 at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in Miramar Beach. Guest speakers include Dr. Kornelis Poelstra, Dr. Charles Wingo, and Dr. John Britt, board certified orthopedic spine surgeons. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Seating is limited. Call 278-3600 to register.
Hiring Fair
Lucy Buffett’s new restaurant being built in Destin at the foot of the Mid-Bay Bridge will hold a hiring fair for all positions from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 13-17 at the Regatta Bay Office Park, just east of Destin Commons, off of U.S. 98 at 4475 Legendary Drive. Applicants are encouraged to fill out an application online before they arrive at www.jobs.lulubuffett.com. However, there will be resources available for the onsite application process.
Volunteer Day
Northwest Florida State College will host Volunteer Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 15 in the Student Services Center on the Niceville campus. Representatives from a large variety of non-profit agencies will answer questions about volunteer opportunities in the local area. Event is free and open to the public. Call 729-6084.
Book signing
NYT bestselling author Meredith Wild will sign copies of her books, Hardwired, Hardpressed, Hardline and Hard Limit from the Hacker Series, at 2 p.m. April 18 at Barnes & Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin.
Destin Flea Market and Yard Sale
Buck Destin Park on Legion Drive will be the site of the Destin Flea Market and Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to noon April 18. Anyone interested in selling their belongings can sign up. Cost for a space is $15 for Destin residents and $20 for non-residents. Setup will begin at 7 a.m. To reserve a spot or for more information, call the Community Center at 654-5184, or email lfirth@cityofdestin.com.
Pirate Day
Ahoy, Mateys! Thaar be Pirate Science from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at the Emerald Coast Science Center, 31 SW Memorial Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. Come dressed as your favorite pirate for sea monster dissections, navigation and pirate and sea crafts, and visit the Mobile Pirate Museum. Call 664-1261.
Financial seminar
Retirement and Your Social Security is the topic at 10 a.m. April 20 in the Family Birth Place, Second-floor Education Room, at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. Seating is limited. Make reservation at 278-3600 or 877-416-1620.
Poster contest
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance invites all Okaloosa County School students to participate in the Sixth Annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest — "Summer Fun." Create on paper with markers, pencils, paint, pastels, charcoal, or crayons. Deadline to enter is April 20. Visit www.artsdesignsociety.org or call 499-8335 or email amybaty1@gmail.comif you have any questions.
Breast cancer support group
Group meets at 6 p.m. April 21 in the Olson Women’s Diagnostic Center. Call 278-3980.
Blood Drive
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast will host the Oneblood mobile unit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 22 at the main entrance of the hospital. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and a meal ticket to the hospital’s café.
Candidate University
Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections will hold Candidate University from 9 a.m. to noon April 22 in Crestview and 6-9 p.m. April 22 in Fort Walton Beach for anyone interested in running for public office or just wanting to learn about the candidate process. Call 689-5600 or email brichard@co.okaloosa.fl.usto register. The registration deadline is April 15. More information is available online at www.GoVote-Okaloosa.comunder the ‘Programs’ menu.
Seminar
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Senior Spirit program hosts a free seminar, “Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine: Questions and Concerns,” with Dr. David Phillips, pulmonologist, at 10 a.m. April 22 in the Resource Center, Suite 3 Conference Room. Call 278-3600 or 877-416-1620 to register.
Diabetes classes
Jenny Stuckey, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, and Anne Townley, registered dietician and certified diabetes educator, will host self-management classes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23 in the Resource Center Suite 1 education building at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.. Pre-registration required and a physician referral is needed to attend. Call 278-3683.
Audubon Society
Adult volunteers are needed to help teach children about birds during the Choctawhatchee Estuary Family Festival April 25 in Rocky Bayou State Park. Call Margaret Benner at 678-6665 to volunteer.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
The Covenant Alzheimer’s Support Group meets from 2-3:30 p.m. April 28 in the Suite 3 Education Center at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. Call 499-3390. Meets last Tuesday of each month.
Open house
Shelter House will celebrate its 30th anniversary and host an open house April 30 at its new administration building, 16 Ferry Road, S.E. in Fort Walton Beach. Visitors can tour the building and speak with advocates about their work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Book signing
Manhattan medium Thomas John will sign copies of his book, “Never Argue with a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories From the Other Side,” at 2 p.m. May 9 at Barnes & Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin.
GOP Lincoln Dinner
The Honorable Rick Perry, former Texas governor and potential presidential candidate, will take the stage as keynote speaker at the Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee’s annual Lincoln Dinner fundraiser from 6-19 p.m. May 12 at Ramada Plaza Beach Resort, 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. The public is invited. Tickets are $60/person; $50/Century Club and students. A Chairman’s Reception, meet and greet with Governor Perry, will be held from 5-6 p.m. in the Oasis Room. Tickets for this reception are $250/person. Seating is limited. Order tickets at OkaloosaGOP.com and Facebook.com/OkaloosaRepublicans.
Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market
The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday 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. Market is held on Wednesdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Farmers Market
The WaterColor Coastal Farmers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday at Cerulean Park. Traditional Farmers Market items such as local farm fresh produce, eggs, and dairy products will be available. There will also be a large variety of organic and homemade items such as Greek gourmet foods, hot and jerk sauces, grass fed beef, chicken, and pork. Market is held on Thursdays from March 12 through Labor Day.
30A Farmers’ Market
This community event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays in Town Center in Rosemary Beach features fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey, cheese and more. Market is held on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Seaside Farmers Market
Get your pick of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products, native plants and other unique offerings Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Amphitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.
Story Hour
Every Thursday, Starbucks at HarborWalk Village will host StoryHour@Starbucks at 3:30 p.m. There will be hot chocolate available for the kids, and all parents get 20 percent off their purchase.
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 $7. No partner necessary. For more information e-mail halsyst@aol.com
Destin Life Center
Recreation and fitness activities at Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive, include the following. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday visit the Soul Café for lunch. Call ahead for dine in or pick up. For information, call the DLC at 837-2021.
• Adult Open Soccer: From 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Fee is $2/player.
• Adult Open Volleyball: From 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Fee is $2/player.
• Pickleball: From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
• DLC Fitness Cardio/Weight Room: Nautilus equipment, three treadmills, two ellipticals and one recumbent bike. Memberships are $40/calendar quarter; $30/month; $20/week; and $10/day.
• Community Fitness Classes: Indoor cycling, Zumba, Rise and Stretch, PIYO, Cardio Dance, Forever Young (senior aerobics) and more. Costs are $40/month; $7/class; $20/month Forever Young, fitness for seniors; and $3/individual Forever Young.
Destin Community Center
All activities are at the Destin Community Center, unless noted. Call 654-5184 or email recreation@cityofdestin.com for information and to register. Persons with disabilities who require assistance are asked to notify the center 48 hours in advance.
• Chair Yoga: Class will be held at 10 a.m. Monday and Thursday. Cost is $4/class.
• Game Room: Open to children age 10 and older from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Line Dancing: Class for beginners will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays. Intermediate lessons are held at 1:30. Open dance is from 1:15-1:30 p.m. The class is $6.
• Pickleball: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $2/resident and $3/non-resident.
• Senior Pilates: Class will be held from 9-10 a.m. Mondays. Cost is $6/class.
• Table Tennis: Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Yoga: Class will be held Thursdays at noon. Open to all yoga enthusiasts of any level. Cost is $6/class. Please bring a mat and towel.
• Zumba Gold: Mondays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $6/class.