Community Happenings 7-31

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Sales tax holiday
The Florida sales tax holiday will be held Aug. 13-15. Floridians will not pay sales tax on books, clothing and footwear that cost $50 or less as well as school supplies that cost less than $10. Silver Sands shoppers can earn extra credit by receiving an additional 20 percent off one single item at select stores and a complimentary Platinum Rewards coupon book from Aug. 1-15. The Florida sales tax holiday also applies to handbags, backpacks, fanny packs and diaper bags but excludes briefcases, suitcases and other garment bags.

Mullet Toss and Fish Fry

The Second Annual Elks Choctawhatchee Bay Mullet Toss and Fish Fry from 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Okaloosa Island Elks Lodge. Events include a kids fishing tournament, mullet toss, live band and fish fry. Cost is $9/adults; $4/children under 12. Call 244-5632.

Bridgeway Senior Program

Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of Aug. 2-6:

•Monday: Grilled chicken.

•Tuesday: Hamburger patty.

•Wednesday: Grilled pork.

•Thursday: Turkey breast.

•Friday: Country fried steak.

NWFSC Health Programs Information Fair

The Nursing and Allied Health programs at Northwest Florida State College will host a Health Programs Information Fair from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 in the College Mall, building K on the Niceville campus for those interested in learning more about admissions to the NWF State College associate degree (RN) and bachelor’s degree (RN to BSN) programs in nursing as well as programs in dental assisting, paramedic, EMT, radiography, emergency medical services, medical coding/billing and health services management. Call 729-6400.

Candidate Forum
Candidates for Okaloosa County Commissioner, Circuit Court Judge, School Board and Sheriff will participate in a candidate forum at 5 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Fort Walton Beach Municipal Auditorium, 109 Miracle Strip Parkway SW. This event is free, and the public is invited. 

Senate District 2 Forum

A Florida Senate District 2 Forum will be held by the Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Niceville City Hall, 208 N. Partin Drive. Call 897-3322 or 217-2532.

Rain barrel workshop

Learn how to build a rain barrel from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 3 at the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave. Fee of $40 covers barrel and fittings. Call 267-1888 to register by Aug. 1.

Benefit

Mitchell’s Fish Market at Grand Boulevard, a Ruth’s Hospitality Group restaurant, will donate 10 percent of sales from the Chef’s Feature at all 20 locations during August to benefit the Oxfam America Gulf Coast Spill Response Fund. This Fund is supporting partners in the region, responding to the disaster and meeting pressing needs on the ground.

Florida Trail Association

The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.

•Aug. 4: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390.
•Aug. 11: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390.
•Aug. 13-15: Camp/bike/hike/swim at Falling Waters State Park at 8 a.m. Call 434-8861.

•Aug. 14: Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip down Yellow River from Milligan to Gin Hole Landing at 9 a.m.  Eglin permit required.  Call 682-6098.
•Aug. 18: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390. 
•Aug. 22: Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip on Blackwater River from
Kennedy Bridge to Peaden Bridge at 9 a.m. Call 484-9111.
•Aug. 24:  Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Bayou Blues Restaurant in Niceville. Visitors
welcome. Call 682-6098.
•Aug. 25: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390. 
•Aug. 28: A three -mile hike on the Jackson Trail to Peaden bridge at 8 a.m. followed by a swim in the river. Lunch afterwards at the Gator Café in Baker.  Call 776-5147.

Choctawhatchee Audubon program

The Choctawhatchee Audubon will present an educational program, “Red Cockaded Woodpecker Ecology and Monitoring, Working to Recover an Endangered Species”, at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville in the Learning Resource Center, LRC Room 128. Socializing, refreshments and conservation topics begin at 6:30 p.m. Call 678-1461

Financial Seminar

A Wine and Cheese Small Group Financial Seminar, hosted by Arbor Wealth Management, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at 8955 Emerald Coast Parkway,
Suite 104,
in Miramar Beach. Call 608-6121 to reserve seating.

Cooking demonstration

The Fresh Market’s Fresh Flavors Cooking Demo featuring Ginger Glazed Wild Salmon with Edamame Soba Salad will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 14 at Fresh Market on Commons Drive in Destin.

Democratic Women’s Club dinner

Congresswoman Pat Schroeder will be the keynote speaker at the Democratic Women’s Club’s 2010 Annual Dinner honoring women’s suffrage at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort on Okaloosa Island. For tickets, call 678-1561 or 864-3148. 

Panhandle Job Fair

The Panhandle Job Fair Foundation is accepting employer registrations for the Fall Panhandle Job Fair Sept. 16 at Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach. Employers should now fill out the online registration form at www.panhandlejobfair.com or e-mail panhandlejobfair@cox.net. Registration proceeds from employers will benefit Take Stock in Children.

Employers will have access to highly motivated military members from the five Air Force and Naval installations in the area in addition to military veterans and civilian jobseekers. This is an opportunity for companies to recruit some of the most highly qualified, degreed, and technically skilled, professional personnel in the Southeast Region.

Food donations

Shelter House is collecting donations of unopened, canned and non-perishable food items that summer tourists may have left over after their stay on the Emerald Coast. Food donations will be used to feed the women and children who stay in the emergency shelter. Donations may be dropped off at 102 Buck Drive in Fort Walton Beach or 78 Lynn Drive in Santa Rosa Beach.

Heritage Museum Yard Sale
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso is accepting donations for their Yard Sale Spectacular from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. This year’s sale will include furniture and antiques as well. Donations are tax deductible. Call 678-2615.

Volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed at The Destin History & Fishing Museum to greet visitors, take admissions, give tours and help at fundraisers. There are openings available from 10 to 1 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. If interested, call 837-6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@embarqmail.com. 

Plant Clinics

Okaloosa County Horticulture Extension Agent Larry Williams will hold Plant Clinics for county residents from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27 at the Extension Annex Building, 127 Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach. Call 689-5850.

Boating course

A 4-hour Partner-in-Command boating course will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28 at the Anchorage, 404 Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach. The program, conducted by experienced local boaters, is designed to provide essential safe boating information to individuals who may not have recreational boating experience, or have not taken a public boating course; but may have to assist or replace the skipper in the operation of a vessel. The course is open to family members with or without the skipper present. The cost is $70 for one person or $80 for two members sharing the same materials. Call

473-7468 or 499-5757.

‘Buy Destin’ coupon

The “Buy Destin” coupon book, with valuable offers from Destin Area Chamber of Commerce members, is available for $5 at the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A.

Senior tours

For information on the following tours for seniors, call 594-9980.

•Israel - A Journey to the Holy Land: Bethlehem, Jericho, Sea of Galilee, Nazareth and other places of interest, Oct. 21-30.

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 to 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.

•Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Entry fee: $6. No partner needed.

•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: Mondays and Tuesdays at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.

•Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

•Open gym: Adult Full Court, 5 to 9 p.m. Monday; all ages, 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, pending special events.

•Volleyball: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

•Table tennis: 8 to 11 a.m. Thursdays.

•Walk to music: From 7 to 7:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

•Woodcarving: Coastal Wood Carvers meet at 9 a.m. Fridays.