Community Happenings

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Fine-free month at Destin Library
Destin Library patrons owing fines for overdue books, videos, cassettes, DVDs and CDs will be exempt from the fine if overdue materials are returned along with a donation of canned goods. This food drive will benefit Harvest House of Destin.

Hope for the Holidays
If your family is in need, you must go through an application process to receive help. No appointment is needed.
Applicants must bring photo ID, social security card or green card, proof of income in the form of paystubs, W2 or 941, proof of rent/mortgage, utility bills (water, electric, gas, trash) and legal custody or guardianship papers if not the parent.
Interviews will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 at Harvest House, 300 Mountain Drive. Call 654-9518.

Destin City Hall
Harbor Board will meet at 5 p.m. Dec. 14 and Technical Review Committee at 1:30 p.m. Dec.16.

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of Dec. 14-18:
•Monday: Pepper beef steak.
•Tuesday: Glazed ham.
•Wednesday: Beef spaghetti casserole.
•Thursday: BBQ chicken patty.

Okaloosa County EMS transportation
Emergency Medical Services, a division of the Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety, will offer free transportation on a space available basis to local residents who would otherwise be unable to come home for holiday celebrations. The “Home for the Holidays” program will provide transportation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Christmas Eve or Christmas Day only.  All requests for transportation must be received by noon on Dec. 22.
The program is designed to allow patients in skilled nursing and adult congregate living facilities to go home and be with family members for holiday dinner. Patients must be self-supporting while at the residence, and be left in the care of a responsible family member.
Okaloosa County EMS will provide free roundtrip transportation originating and ending in Okaloosa County.
To schedule transportation, call 651-7150 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Writers in Sandals
Writers in Sandals will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 19 at the Destin Library. Topic will be “Misconnects Will Disconnect Your Reader.”

Fundraiser
Club Overboard and The Twisted Palm Grill & Bar will host a fashion show with a buffet dinner to benefit The American Cancer Society on Dec.  19 at Club Overboard & Studio 98. The fashion show will highlight the area’s local stores and boutiques.
Tables will be made available for $50 for local businesses to promote their goods and/or services.
A silent auction will be held with gift baskets and donations from local businesses. All proceeds will be donated to The American Cancer Society. Call 654-0010.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate. floridatrail.org or call the listed number.  
•Dec. 19: Christmas party in DeFuniak Springs, 5 p.m. Pot luck dinner followed by a walk around the lake to view the lights. Call 623-1646.
•Dec. 22: Monthly meeting at Bayou Blues in Niceville, 6 p.m. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

Open house at Alaqua
Alaqua Animal Refuge, 914 Whitfield Road in Freeport, will hold an open house for the community from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 20 to raise awareness about the services Alaqua provides for Walton County and to show off the new campus. Animals will be available for adoption.

Computer workshops
The Destin Library computer workshops offered January through March are open to individuals having a valid library card membership in the Okaloosa County Library Cooperative and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The last day for preregistration will be two days prior to the scheduled workshop date.
Workshops include E-Mail Internet Basics, Computer Basics, Facebook, Introduction to Blogs, Digital Photography and Craigslist.
Registration forms and workshop descriptions can be viewed and downloaded at www.cityofdestin.com. Call 837-8572.

ACT/SAT workshop
A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the Feb. 6 ACT and the Jan. 23 SAT will be held from 2:15 to 5:15 p.m. Jan. 21, 22, 27 and 28 at Fort Walton Beach High School and  from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 19, 20, 25 and 26 at Niceville High School. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is Jan. 5. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, e-mail Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school Guidance Department.

Senior Snowbird Expo
ResortQuest and the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will present the Annual “Senior Snowbird Expo” from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 8 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island. Admission is $1.
The ballroom will be filled with local businesses representing their establishments and services available and seniors will enjoy a variety of entertainment, food, fun, door prizes, and educational workshops. Call 244-8191.

Kids in the Kitchen
Sarah K’s Gourmet and 30a Media Inc will film a regular segment featuring local children ages 4 to 14 who aspire to be chefs. Segment will teach nutrition, cooking skills and math skills while showcasing a young chef.
Send recent picture of child along with age, contact information and age appropriate recipe to Sarah K’s Gourmet, 34940 U.S. 98, Suite 183 Destin FL 32541.
The recipes must meet be 10 ingredients or less, simple and fresh ingredients, family friendly and age appropriate cooking processes.

Destin Library
The following events are held regularly at the Destin Library. Call 837-8572
•Tai Chi for Arthritis: At 7 a.m.  Wednesdays. Cost is $5/class.
•Cuddlers & Toddlers Storytime: From 3 t 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Thursdays for ages 4 months to 4 years.
•Independent Film Series: Independent and foreign films shown at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.
•Friends of the Destin Library: Monthly meeting held at 10 a.m. the second Friday of each month.

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.
•Brazilian Martial Arts: Offered at 8 p.m. Mondays.
•Ballroom dance classes: Learn swing, Latin and ballroom dance from 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. Cost: $10/person.
•Chair yoga: 10 a.m. Thursdays. Cost: $2.
•Dodgeball: 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays for ages 17 and up.
•Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Entry fee: $5. No partner needed.
•Fencing: From 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 678-9190.
•Game room: Open to children 10 and older and under 10 accompanied by adult from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday.
•Intermediate party bridge: At 12:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.
•Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
•Line dancing: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays for beginners and intermediates Begins Nov. 4. Cost $5.
•Low impact aerobics: 9:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Begins Nov. 2. Bring water and a towel. Cost $3.
•Table tennis: 8 to 11 a.m. Thursdays.
•Volleyball: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
•Walk to music: From 8 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.
•Woodcarving: Coastal Wood Carvers meet at 9 a.m. Fridays. Fee: $3 per class.
•Zumba: Dance fitness at 11 a.m. Thursdays. Cost: $6.