Community Happenings

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Booksigning
Vicki’s Kitchenique at City Market at Destiny, one mile east of Destin Commons, will host Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes for a cooking demonstration and book signing from 12 to 2 p.m. Dec. 19.

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. Call 654-0010.
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.

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of Dec. 21-25:
•Monday: Meatloaf.
•Tuesday: Tuna mac salad.
•Wednesday: Roast beef.
•Thursday: Chicken strips.
•Friday: Closed.

Cell phone collection
Shelter House is collecting used, old and broken cell phones to be recycled. Proceeds will benefit victims of domestic violence in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Cell phone collection “drop boxes” are currently located at Beach Community Banks, Whitney Banks, Airport Road Church of Christ, Destin Church of Christ, Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Troy University campuses, Fort Walton Beach Church of Christ, Christ the King Episcopal Church and Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
 
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.

NWF Ballet classes
The Northwest Florida Ballet will offer special class rates to Snowbirds and area senior citizens. Adult Beginner Ballet and Pilates Classes are  $5 drop in fee through April, 2010.
For information and a class schedule, call 664-7787 or visit www.nfballet.org.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate. floridatrail.org or call the listed number.  
•Jan. 2: Five-mile hike in the Nokuse section, 9 a.m. Call 683-0803 or 682-6098.
•Jan. 9: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance on the Garcon Point Trail, 8 a.m. Call 623-1646.
•Jan. 15-17: Camping and hiking at St Joe Peninsula State Park, 9 a.m. Call 723-7924.
•Jan. 16: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance on Eglin AFB reservation, 8 a.m. Call 492-8258.
•Jan. 23: Hike in Conecuh National Forest in Alabama, 8 a.m. Call 484-9111.
•Jan. 23: Hike on Eglin reservation to the Alaqua campsite, 9 a.m. Call 683-0803.
•Jan. 26: Monthly meeting at Bayou Blues in Niceville, 6 p.m. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.
•Jan. 30: Four-mile full moon hike around Bear Lake with pot luck dinner afterwards, 5 p.m. Call 682-6098.
•Jan. 31: Hike in Gulf Shores, Ala., at Bon Secour NWR. Visit Ft. Morgan afterwards, 9 a.m. Call 723-7924.

Prime Time classes
The spring 2010 schedule of Prime Time personal enrichment classes at NWF State College is available at www.nwfsc.edu/schedule and at all college locations, area chambers of commerce and public libraries. Registration begins Jan. 13.
Classes, open to adults of any age, begin in January, February and March and range in price for $5 to $75.
Courses are designed for leisure learning with no grades or tests given.

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.

Collegiate High School
Admissions packets for 2010-11 admission to the Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College are now available at www.owcollegiatehigh.org. Printed copies will available from the school and at all seven NWF State College locations in January.
Information sessions will be held at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and 11 in the College Mall, Bldg. K community gallery on the college’s Niceville campus and at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Crestview Public Library.

Adoption and foster care seminar
The Heart of God Adoption and Orphan Ministry, (a division of Generous Heart Ministry), will present a free adoption and foster care information seminar from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 9 at Kelly Plantation owner’s club, 4393 Commons Drive East in Destin.
Hear from professionals in the adoption field as well as first-hand stories from families who have adopted internationally, domestically and from foster care. Learn about the different types of adoptions, the process and what is involved in adopting.
Register by Jan 8 at 419-2563 or e-mail Passion127@mchsi.com.

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.

Gumbo contest
The Destin History & Fishing Museum’s annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Destin Community Center. Area restaurants and individuals compete for the title of the best gumbo on the Panhandle.
The event includes live music from local musicians and a silent auction.  Sample all the area’s finest gumbo and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.  Advanced tickets are available at the Museum for $10 per adult.
To enter your gumbo in the contest or donate an item for the silent auction, call 837-6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@embarqmail.com.

Cat Show
Destiny Cat Fancier’s Allbreed and Household Pet Cat Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 23 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island.
Admission is $5. Bring a large can of cat food for the local shelter and receive $1 off. To register your cat for the show, call 706-374-4216 or e-mail coonslady@aol.com.

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.