COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sept. 30

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.

• City Council, 6 p.m. Oct. 2

• Environmental/Parks & Recreation/Tree Board, 4 p.m. Oct. 4

• City Council Workshop, 5 p.m. Oct. 9

• Public Works/Public Safety, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10

• Harbor CRA-AC, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11

5k fundraiser

The Andrew Weathers Memorial Foundation will host its annual fundraising run at 8 a.m. Sept. 30 at The Crab Trap in Destin. This year’s run will include a beach 5k as well as a fun run and obstacle course for kids. The after party and silent auction will follow the timed run and includes drinks and The Crab Trap’s signature jambalaya. Registration is $45/runner. The 2017 “Never Forget Run” will begin with an Honor and Remember Cere-mony, offering a way for the community to pay respects to the Special Forces soldiers who have given their life for our country including Andrew, who gave his life for our freedom on Sept. 30, 2014. American flags will be offered to runners to wave as they run the beaches of the Emerald Coast.

Wear Pink Day

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospital host Okaloosa County’s Fourth Annual Wear Pink Day Oct. 1. The free community dinner, Standing Up to Breast Cancer, will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Niceville Community Center. Registration is required at 855-614-7274.

MUG

The Mac Users Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in the NWFSC Student Services Center, Room 132. “Mac Keyboard Shortcuts and Startup Key Functions” will be presented by Matthew Pace. For more information call 862-3327 or email jeancdutton@mac.com

Toiletry drive for Shelter House

Pure & Couture is donating their Paul Mitchell products to Shelter House in Fort Walton Beach and has opened the ongoing toiletry drive to members of the community. Shelter House is need of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, body spray, and razors. People can drop off items at Pure & Couture Salon in the shops of City Market Destin Beachside in Destin.

Republican Women

The Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated will meet at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 575 Santa Rosa Blvd. on Okaloosa Island. The guest speaker will be Florida Senator Denise Grimsley, who is a candidate for Florida Agriculture Commissioner. Lunch is $18/members and $20/guests. RSVP by Sept. 30 at 651-5416 or donnapattison@cox.net.

Audubon Society

The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in Room 130 of Bldg 400 at NWFSC, Niceville campus. “Water and Air Quality: A Challenge in Florida” will be presented by Eric Prince. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 225-252-2760 for more information.

• Oct. 7: Join local birders in a walk through Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island led by Malcolm Swan, videographer and expert birder, to see herons, raptors and migrants. Meet at the NE corner of the Convention Center parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Wear long pants, closed toe shoes and a hat. Call 210-343-9082 for additional information.

• Oct. 14: Event. Explore the Outdoors Festival at Live Oak Landing, 229 Pitts Ave., in Freeport. Teach children how to identify birds using matching games, binoculars and spotting scopes. Bring water, bug spray and a lawn chair. Call 267-2064 or email liveoaklanding.rvoutdoors.com for additional information.

• Oct. 21: See owls, warblers, herons and rails in a walk through the Bluewater Bay Marina marshes and oak forest. Meet at Oak Creek Shopping Center by CVS on Hwy. 20 in Niceville at 7:30 a.m. Wear closed toed shoes, bring water and bug spray. Call 368-3680 for additional information.

• Oct. 28: See ducks, herons, raptors and migrants in a walk through the FWB landfill and holding ponds led by Malcolm Swan. Meet at Pepitos, 1313 Lewis Turner Blvd., at 7:30 a.m. Wear closed toed shoes, a hat and long pants. Call 210-343-9082 for additional information.

Embroiderers’ Guild

The Sand Dunes Chapter of Embroiderers' Guild of America will hold stitch-ins from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 8 and 22 in the Religious Education building, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd. in Niceville. Visitors are welcome. Call 496-3466 with any questions.

DES Spirit Nights

LuLu’s in Destin will host Spirit Night for Destin Elementary from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 9 (the second Monday of each month through April). Ten percent of food and drink sales will be donated to the Destin Elementary PTO. LuLu's is at the foot of the Mid-Bay Bridge.

A Night of Honor

The Emerald Coast Honor Games hosts “A Night of Honor” at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Legendary Marine Showroom. Enjoy food, drinks, and festivities and meet the beneficiaries and the presentation of “Honor Stories” from local heroes. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase sponsorships for the year by “owning” one of the 13 stripes or 50 stars on the world’s largest U.S. Flag that is painted on top of Legendary Marine. RSVP at gvann@legendarymarine.com.

Health Living Seminar

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Senior Spirit program will host a free seminar, “Cancer Treatment and Prevention, at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 in the Suite 3 Conference Room. Call 877-416-1620 to register.

Fall Flair

The United Methodist Women present the Ninth Annual Fall Flair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Destin Life Center at Destin Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive. The arts and crafts show features more than 60 artists, crafters, homemade food vendors, direct sales representatives and more. All proceeds go to support the Destin UMC Missions.

Parking Lot Sale

Grace Lutheran Church’s MOMS Ministry (Mothers of Many Seasons) will host a parking lot sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at 4325 Commons Drive in Destin. Come for one of a kind items, re-sale, vintage and handcrafted items.

Halloween Costume Parade

The Destin Library’s Youth Services Department has scheduled its annual Story-time Halloween Costume Parade for children four years and younger at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 25. Parents are encouraged to pre-register for this annual event at wrogers@cityofdestin.com or call 837-8572 by Oct. 20. Children participating will receive a gift bag.

Color the Coast Orange

Wear orange in support of bully-free schools and a safe community during the tri-countywide Third Annual Color the Coast Or-ange#UnityDay2017 on Oct. 25. Schools, families, businesses and the entire community can participate simply by wearing orange.

Food for Thought

A free educational session will be held at noon Oct. 25 in the Twin Cities Hospital. Whitney Temple, will discuss “Awareness and Prevention of Diabetes.” Attendees may bring a brown bag lunch. RSVP at HealthyOkaloosa5210@flhealth.gov.

Camp for adult cancer patients

Adults who have been diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to register now for an upcoming Sacred Heart Health System program that offers support, encouragement and renewal. Camp Bluebird, a retreat experience for people coping with cancer, is scheduled for Oct. 25-27 at Sacred Heart’s Miracle Camp in Escambia County. Activities include arts and crafts, pampering, education, optional sharing sessions, entertainment and more. Visit www.campbluebirdfl.com or call 698-2202.

Destin Open House

The City of Destin will host its Annual Open House from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Destin Community Center in conjunction with Florida’s City Government Week. This year’s theme, “Leave No Trace,” will include booth displays by city staff and community partners highlighting practices, projects and concepts that have positive impacts on our environment. Also, giveaways, Scavenger Hunt Q&A, free fish fry lunch at 11:45 a.m., meet the city council and volunteer recognition. The city will also host a free Community Shred Day during the event. Residents and businesses can bring old documents to be shredded on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave.

Light the Night Fall Festival

Village Baptist Church in Destin will host its Annual Light the Night Fall Festival at 6 p.m. Oct. 29. There will be games, prizes, trunk or treating, inflatables, food, and more. Prizes for the best costumes and car decor will be awarded at the end of the night. For more information, visit villagebaptist.org.

Take-A-Kid Fishing Day

The 23rd annual Take-A-Kid Fishing Day will be held Nov. 5. Harbor Docks will treat 350 underprivileged children to a day of fishing on local charter boats. Through the efforts and generosity of volunteers, boat captains and crews, children and their chaperones will be treated to breakfast, a day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and a fish fry. Each child will take home a rod and reel and a T-shirt.

Presentation at Destin Library

The Friends Guild of the Destin Library will host a presentation by Richard Barlow Adams, “West Point on the Eve of the Civil War,” at 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the library. This program is free and open to the public. Call 837-8572.

Holiday Craft Show

The City of Destin’s 11th Annual Holiday Craft Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Destin Community Center. There will be hand-crafted jewelry, woodcarvings, watercolor paintings, and more from more than 50 vendors. Vendor booths are available for $45/Destin residents and $55/non-residents (+$10 for a corner booth). This includes an 8 x 10 space, one 6’ table, and two chairs. Register early, as space is limited. Admission is free. Call 5184 for more information.

Tai Chi Class

The Destin Library will offer one-hour Tai Chi classes with Barbara Rezmer, a certified Tai Chi for Health instructor, Monday mornings 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 person. Call 837-8572.

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 a 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 Code Club for children in fifth through eighth grades will be divided into two sections, web design and game design. Meetings will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays (web design) and Fridays (game design). Registration is required to participate, and will be capped at 18 students. Register at http://www.cityofdestin.com/forms.aspx?FID=143.

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.

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 Amphitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.

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.

‒ 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 Book Club: The Destin Senior Members meet at 10 a.m. the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Destin Library, 150 Sibert Ave.

‒ 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.

‒ Senior Walking Club: The Destin Senior Members walk around the Destin Community Center’s gymnasium from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday. All of the miles that you walk will be added to our “team map” as we travel from one region to the next.

‒ Table Tennis: From 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Paddles and balls provided. Fee is $2/resident and $3/non-resident.

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 sponsored 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.

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.