COMMUNITY CALENDAR April 29
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
Destin City Hall
All City Council meetings, workshops, executive sessions and CRA Board meetings are held at the City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. All other board and committee meetings are held at City Hall, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail.
• CRA Board, 5:30 p.m. May 1
• City Council, 6 p.m. May 1
• Special City Council Workshop, 5:30 p.m. May 3
• Public Works/Public Safety, 5:30 p.m. May 9
• Harbor CRA-AC, 5:30 p.m. May 10
• Strategic Visioning Session, 1 p.m. May 11 at Destin Library
• Strategic Visioning Session, 8 a.m. May 12 at Destin Library
Yard Sale
Village Baptist Church will host its Fifth Annual Mission Yard Sale fro 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29 at 101 Matthew Blvd. in Destin. Call 837-8107.
Relay for Life Relay
The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life of Fort Walton Beach will host the annual Relay at 6 p.m. April 28 to 6 a.m. April 29 at the Choctawhatchee High School track, 10 Racetrack Road NW in Fort Walton Beach. This event is to raise awareness and funds toward cancer research and will feature food, fun, and activities throughout the night.
Surf Fishing Class
Join Bass Pro staff on the beach at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin for a surf fishing class from 8 a.m. to noon April 29. Bait, tackle, and instruction provided. Learn proper techniques for successful surf fishing, no previous experience required. Sign up is required at 269-6200. Participants must have a current Florida saltwater fishing license. Event is free with park admission and is weather permitting.
Plant Sale
The Destin Garden Club will hold its annual Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to noon April 29 at the Destin Library, 150 Sibert Ave. Money raised from the plants, usually ranging from $1-$5, helps the club maintain the Destin Library grounds.
DIG for a Cause
Dig in Gulf, 9375 Emerald Coast Parkway in Miramar Beach at The Market Shops at Sandestin, will host a fundraiser for Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 1. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert all day and 10 percent of all sales will go to MKAF and support their community outreach programs in Okaloosa and Walton County schools, wounded warriors, and children and adults with disabilities.
MUG
The Mac Users Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. May 1 in the NWFSC Student Services Center — Room 130. James Savage will talk about “News Readers” and how to use the power of RSS feeds and News Readers such as “Reeder” to consolidate and quickly review and read your favorite blogs and news sites. Attendees are encouraged to bring their Mac devices. For more information, call 862-3327 or email jeancdutton@mac.com.
Advising sessions
Northwest Florida State College will offer group advising sessions for new students who will begin classes in the upcoming summer or fall at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 1 and 8. Students are encouraged to arrive with high school transcripts to ensure they receive all advising assistance needed. Register at https://nwfstatecollege.formstack.com/forms/form_1__fsform2530100
Republican Women
The Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated will meet at 11:30 a.m. May 3 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 575 Santa Rosa Blvd. on Okaloosa Island. Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux will be the speaker. Cost for lunch is $18/members and $20/guests. Make reservation by April 29 at 651-5416 or donnapattison@cox.net.
Food For Thought Thursdays
Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, 435 Grand Blvd. Suite Q104 in Grand Boulevard, will give 20 percent of food and drink sales to Food For Thought Outreach during Happy Hour from 3-7 p.m. May 4, first Thursday of the month.
Audubon Society
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. May 4 in Room 130 of the student services building (Bldg. 400) at the NWFSC Niceville campus. Erica Laine, wildlife biologist, will present “Gopher Tortoise Biology and Conservation.” Admission is free and open to the public. Call 225-252-2760, or email dbaltz@lsu.edu.
Derby Party
The Junior League of the Emerald Coast’s 3rd Annual Derby Party will be held from 3-7 p.m. May 6 at Emerald Bay Golf Club with a live showing of the running of the 143rd Kentucky Derby along with a silent auction, Run for the Roses Raffle and contests like Best Derby Hat, Best Dressed Couple, Best Bow Tie, and Biggest Hat. Guests will enjoy an evening of high fashion and hats, classic mint juleps and cocktails, a southern-style spread, and live music and dancing. Tickets are $55 and available at jlec.org. For more information, call 460-8980 or email hq@jlec.org.
Community Yard Sale
The Destin Community Center will host a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 6 at Dewey “Buck” Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. Anyone interested in selling their belongings can sign up for a fee of $15/residents, $20/non-residents and free for members of the Destin Seniors. This fee includes one table and chair on a section of the basketball court. Set-up will begin at 7 a.m. Parking will be at Destin Assembly of God (next door). There is a limit of one table per reservation location. To reserve a spot or for more information call 654-5184.
ACT/SAT workshop
A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the June 3 SAT and June 10 ACT will be held from 9 a.m. to noon May 30 and 31 and June 5 and 6 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 23. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, email Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school guidance department.
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society
Visit the Okaloosa Landfill to see a variety of birdlife May 6. Meet at Pepitos, 1313 Lewis Turner Blvd., at 7:30 a.m. Wear closed toed shoes, bring binoculars and a camera. Call 305-926-6030 for more information.
• May 13: Search for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Bachman’s Sparrows on Eglin Reservation. Meet at the Armament Museum Parking Lot at 7 a.m. You must obtain a reservation permit to participate at Jackson Guard or online at Eglin.gov. Call 210-343-9082 for more information.
• May 20: Visit Bay County Audubon’s Laidlaw Plantation to see a diverse collection of birdlife and restoration efforts. Meet at the CVS parking lot in Oak Creek Shopping Plaza in Niceville at 7a.m. and caravan to Laidlaw in Holmes County. Bring a sack lunch and wear sturdy shoes. Call 381-5651 for details.
Basic Life Support classes
American Heart Association Basic Life Support, Healthcare Provider Initial courses will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20 at Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast, Suite 1, Education Building. Enrollment closes May 18. Cost is $50/person. To enroll, call 278-3019 or email timfeld@shhpens.org.
• July 22: enrollment closes July 20
• Sept. 23: enrollment closes Sept. 21
Grant workshop
IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida, which provides significant funding for non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations in Okaloosa and Walton counties, will hold its annual grant workshop to assist groups who want to apply for these grants, from 9 a.m. to noon May 23 in the Fellowship Hall of Grace Lu-theran Church, 4326 Commons Drive W. in Destin. Areas for grants this year include Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family and Health & Recreation. Advance registration encouraged at www.impactnwf.org by May 15.
Tai Chi Class
The Destin Library will offer one-hour Tai Chi classes with Barbara Rezmer, a certified Tai Chi for Health instructor, every Monday morning at 9 a.m. The cost is $5/session. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants with registrations (on a first-come first-served basis) accepted by phone or in per-son. Call 837-8572.
Fitness on the Lawn
The Market Shops at the entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will host free, fitness classes on the lawn from 9-10 a.m. weekdays through July 31. The classes are free to attend and open to individuals of all fitness levels. Classes include Pilates Stretch with Essential Oils by Susan Authement Dunnam, Pure Barre, Tabata Circuit with Scott Lassiter, Core Pilates with Lisa Turpin and Unique Flowing Fitness with Andi. No pre-registration is required; bring a mat.
Volunteers needed at Hospice
Emerald Coast Hospice is in need of volunteers willing to share their time relating and connecting with veteran patients and their families, being a patient visit volunteer or an administrative volunteer. Call Lisa Secondine at 837-2589 or email lisa.secondine@gentiva.com for information.
Caregiver Support Group
Covenant Alzheimer’s Care support group for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related illness is held at 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Brookdale Fort Walton Beach, 233 Carmel Ave. Call 864-4600.
Make-and-Take classes
The Destin Library has announced a new series of free how-to workshops for ages 18 and up that focus on practical projects and skills you might not have learned in school. Workshop will be held the last Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. No registration. Call 837-8572 or email mfontaine@cityofdesitn.com.
Code Club
The Destin Library's new Code Club, dedicated to enhancing the programming and coding education of today’s youth by providing free programming materials to schools and libraries, is open to children in fifth through eighth grades. Meetings will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Fridays and 4:30-5:30 Tuesdays. Registration is required to participate, and will be capped at 18 students. There is no cost to register. Small snacks and drinks will be provided. Call 837-8572 or email mfontaine@cityofdesitn.com to register.
Bereavement Support Group
Share and learn more about the grief journey you are enduring with an Emerald Coast Hospice bereavement group at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Destin Library. Groups are free and ongoing.
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.
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 Sundays 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 Am-phitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.
Bridge
Emerald Coast Bridge Club will be held at 10 a.m. Monday and Thursday at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 307 Harbor Blvd. in Destin, in the old Parlor. Cost is $7. No partner necessary. For more information, call 380-1558 or email nzdet@aol.com.
Destin Life Center
Recreation and fitness activities at Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive, are from 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 2-5 p.m. Monday-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.
‒ Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group: From 3-4 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Destin Senior Center in Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. This support group is free to the public. It is sponsored by Emerald Coast Hospice. Materials are provided by the Alzheimer's Association. This support group can be for family members and care providers in helping to deal with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Call 654-5184 to make reservation.
‒ Capoeria: Class in the Brazilian martial art that combines the elements of dance, acrobatics and music will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. for all ages.
‒ Destin Senior Chair Exercise 50+ years: Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10-10:45 a.m. consists of performing light exercises to help improve balance, flexibility, strength, and circulation. Free/residents.
Destin Senior Membership: Join the Destin Seniors to enjoy multiple festivities including the senior lunch bunch, pot luck, casino trips, cruises, bingo, chair exercise, knitting, scrabble, and Mexican dominoes. Members must be a Destin resident.
‒ Dodgeball: From 6-8 p.m. Thursdays for children ages 8 to 14. Fee is $3/non-residents and $2/residents. A waiver will be required for your child.
‒ Game Room: Open to children age 10 and older from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Basketball/volleyball court, ping pong/foosball/air hockey/pool tables
‒ Grief Support and Education: At 3 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at the Destin Senior Center in Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. These sessions are facilitated by Emerald Coast Hospice's Bereavement Coordinator, Christopher Keown, and are free to the public. Anyone dealing with grief, assisting someone in their grief or curious about the experience, is welcome to join in.
‒ Pickleball: Play from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Racquets and balls are available. Just bring gym shoes. Fee: $3/non-residents or $2/residents. Call for lesson times.
‒ Senior Art Lessons: The Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive, offers six-week sessions for Seniors (50 years and older). The current lessons began Oct. 6 with three weeks of pen and ink, then three weeks of acrylics. Fees are $20/non-Destin residents and $15/residents. Cost includes materials.
‒ Senior Drop-In Hours: The Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive, offers senior drop-in hours from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday for Seniors (50 years and older) to meet and enjoy each other's company, participate in games such as Mexican Train Dominoes, Scrabble, cards, etc.
‒ Senior Knitting: Sessions and lessons for beginners and all skill levels from 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. No registration required.
‒ Table Tennis: From 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Paddles and balls provided. Fee is $2/resident and $3/non-resident.
Referral Leaders International
More than 30 of the top Destin professionals and business owners meet Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 790 on the Gulf to share connections and referrals. Come ready to talk about your products/services and get help to grow your business. Call 897-1957.
Toastmasters International
To become more effective communicators and leaders, visit one or more of the Toastmasters clubs at the following locations or visit www.toastmasters.org/Find-a-Club.
• Club 702 White Sands Toastmasters, 12-1 p.m. Thursdays at 415 Racetrack Road NE in Fort Walton Beach.
• Club 1919 Emerald Coast Toastmasters, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays at Education Bldg 251, Room 122 on Eglin AFB.
• Club 9478 Hurlburt Toastmasters, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Education Center Bldg. 221, Classroom L on Hurburt Field.
• Club 724908 Destin Toastmasters, 5:45-7:15 p.m. 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month at Walton County Utility Building.
• Club 817348 Crestview Toastmasters, 6-7 p.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Crestview.
• Club 851515 Lake DeFuniak Toastmasters, 12-1 p.m. 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at Northwest Florida State College, Room 103 at the Chautauqua Center.
Seniors of Destin
The Seniors of Destin meet the fourth Friday of the month for a covered dish and to celebrate all birthdays for the month. The program is spon-sored by the city of Destin and Gentiva Home Health. Each month has a featured guest speaker that pertains to senior living. Call 685-5310.
Betterment Alliance
The Main Street Betterment Alliance meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the American Legion, 311 Main Street. Call 837-3818.
Destin Business Builders
Destin Business Builders Networking group meets from 7:15-8:45 a.m. every Wednesday at the Destin United Methodist Life Center. Call 651-1300 ext. 13.
Coffee and Cars
Emerald Coast Muscle Car Club hosts Coffee and Cars the last Sunday of every month at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach. For information, call 200-2465 or email dfureigh@fwb.org.
Food Buying Club
A small group interested in eating healthy and purchasing smart meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 125 Scottsdale Court in Mary Esther. On the second Tuesday, the group meets at Fountain Square in downtown Fort Walton Beach for the Growing Local film series. Call 863-4040.
Kiwanis Club of Destin
The Kiwanis Club of Destin meets every Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Destin Methodist Church Life Center on Beach Drive in Destin. The public is invited to attend the club’s weekly meetings.
Destin Rotary
The Destin Rotary meets at 7:15 a.m. every Tuesday at Rutherford’s 465. Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Destin/241220675890226.
Flotilla 1-4 USCG Auxiliary
Flotilla 1-4 USCG Auxiliary meets at 8 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month at Coast Guard Station Destin on Okaloosa Island. Anyone wishing to become a member is welcome to attend. Prior military duty is not required. Call 865-9130 or email www.flotilla14.info.