COMMUNITY CALENDAR Oct. 14
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. 16
• Town Center DRA-AC, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18
• Destin Youth Council, 4 p.m. Oct. 19
• Harbor & Waterways Board, 6 p.m. Oct. 23
Brunch and Bowl
A family-friendly fundraiser for Shelter House from 8-11 a.m. Oct. 14 at Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill at Destin Commons includes a breakfast buffet, unlimited bowling, silent auction, music, cash bar and trophies for Best Team Score and Highest Individual Game. Space is limited. Register at shelterhousenwfl.org.
Fall Flair
The United Methodist Women present the Ninth Annual Fall Flair from 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. CVS Pharmacy will be there both days to give flu shots to those who need it. All proceeds go to support the Destin UMC Missions.
Tribute to the 60's Concert
Hear some of The Emerald Coast’s Future Artists as they pay tribute to an important part of music history … the Sixties … from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 14 at Shoreline Church, 140 Palmetto Street in Destin. Presented by Dreamcatcher Vocal Performance Studio, these performers bring all of their learned skills to the stage in a one-time tribute.
Parking Lot Sale
Grace Lutheran Church’s MOMS Ministry (Mothers of Many Seasons) will host a parking lot sale from 9 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.
Audubon Society
Explore the Outdoors Festival Oct. 14 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.
Exotic Pet Amnesty Day
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on Okaloosa Island will host Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Exotic Pet Amnesty Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14. The event is free to the public, and will be held just outside the main entrance to the Gulfarium. Exotic pet owners can surrender their pet anonymously and without penalty. Animals that will be accepted include reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates.
Community Alliance
Learn about the Okaloosa County Community Alliance with The League of Women Voters of Okaloosa County and Okaloosa Community Alliance Chair Rick Owens from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Twisted Grape Wine Bar and Café, 1193 Eglin Parkway in Shalimar. The event is free and open to the public, but attendees will be responsible for purchasing their own lunches. RSVP to info@lwvokaloosa.org.
Book signing
Dr. Marinella Monk will sign copies of her first work of fiction, “Heaven Rediscovered, from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 21 at Barnes and Noble, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin.
Embroiderers’ Guild
The Sand Dunes Chapter of Embroiderers' Guild of America will hold stitch-ins from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 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.
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.
Dinner/Movie
Grace Lutheran Church in Destin will host a Reformation 500 Celebration Oct. 25 with dinner and a movie to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Dinner begins at 5:15 p.m. and will include brats, sauerkraut, German style potato salad, roasted vegetables and apple strudel. A screening of the film "Luther," starring Joseph Fiennes as the German theologian whose 95 Theses sparked the Protestant Reformation, will begin at 6:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome. A free will offering will be collected.
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.
Sacred Heart Class
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast will host a free cancer prevention nutrition class from 12-1 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Suite 3 Conference Room at the hospital. Attendees will learn about cancer prevention through diet and lifestyle changes, enjoy food samples, and take home cancer-fighting recipes. Register at 416-1620; space is limited.
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.
Beach Bon Fire Service
Hotdogs, chips, drinks, and smores will be provided at Emerald Coast Baptist Church’s Beach Bon Fire service from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Dune Allen Beach Access, 5707 County Road 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. Evening includes camp fire singing, Bible preaching and plenty of food.
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.
Candidate University
Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections will hold a free Candidate University from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1 at the Okaloosa County Administration Building in Shalimar and 6-9 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Supervisor of Elections Headquarters in Crestview. The class is for anyone interested in running for public office or wanting to learn about the candidate process. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at 689-5600 or kwainwright@co.okaloosa.fl.us.
Contractor’s Connect
Mingle with other local industry professionals for drinks, good company, and meaningful business connections at the second Contractor’s Connect from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 2 at AJ’s on the Destin harbor. Ticket ($10) includes first draft beer and light appetizers. All registered guests will be entered to win in multiple giveaway drawings.
• Jan. 4: From 5:30-7:30 p.m. at AJ’s on the Bayou, 200 Eglin Parkway NE in Fort Walton Beach.
Marlin 5K Walk/Run
The Third Annual LuLu’s Marlin 5K Walk/Run to benefit Destin Middle School’s athletic department begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 4 with registration at 7 a.m. The walk/run will begin at 8 a.m. Nov. 4, with registration at 7 a.m. A complimentary Post Run Party will be held for registered runners at LuLu’s, with others paying $5 to attend. Entry fee for runners/walkers is $30/person. Registration forms are at LuLu’s gift shop, or register at www.lulubuffett.com/destin, under Crazy Fun.
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.
Golf Tournament
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast will hold a golf tournament, A Round for the Kids, Nov. 11 at Emerald Bay Golf Club in Destin. Fill out ap-plication at https://emeraldcoastbgc.org/. Call 344-7722 for more information.
DES Spirit Nights
LuLu’s in Destin will host Spirit Night for Destin Elementary from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 13 (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.
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.
ADSO’s Christmas Market
The Arts & Design Society's members host the annual Arts and Crafts Christmas Market from Nov. 14 to Dec. 16, featuring an assortment of gifts, including jewelry, paintings, clay works, decorations, photographs, and note cards, all created by the members. Works are all reasonably priced. These are available in the Gallery, when the Art Center is open: Tuesday-Friday, 12-4 p.m. and Saturday, 1-4 p.m. at the Art Center, 17 First Street, SE, in Fort Walton Beach. Website: http://artsdesignsociety.org. For more information, call 850-244-1271.
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 in-vited 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 Amphi-theatre 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.
‒ Chair Yoga: Classes consisting of performing traditional yoga poses from a chair for lower impact from 10-11 a.m. Thursdays beginning Oct. 12. Cost is $4/class.
‒ Destin Senior Chair Exercise 50+ years: Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10-10:45 a.m. consists of performing light exercises to help im-prove 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: Sessions are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays. Fee is $3/non-residents or $2/residents. Racquets and balls are available, just bring gym shoes.
‒ 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.
‒ Zumba Gold: A low impact class using Latin music for fitness/dance classes from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays beginning Oct. 12. Fee is $6/session
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.