CRESTVIEW — Here are upcoming events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas:
Okaloosa collecting delinquent business tax receipts
SHALIMAR — The Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office is collecting delinquent Business Tax Receipts in January.
Tax Collector Ben Anderson says, "BTRs, formerly known as an occupational license, are required for businesses that provide merchandise, entertainment, or services to the public, even if only a one-person company or home-based business."
"We want the public to know this is not a scam. Agents will only call during business hours, Monday through Friday, and identify themselves as Tax Collector employees."
If business owners have questions concerning the call or any other Tax Collector issue, they can call 651-7310.
BTRs are renewed annually and should be paid by Sept. 30 to avoid any penalties. Business owners can initiate, renew or pay for BTRs at www.OkaloosaTax.com. When paying online, E-Check is free.
Payments can also be made at any Tax Collector branch office, or by phone at 651-7300.
Library sets next open-mic poetry night
CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library’s next monthly open-mic night for poets and musicians to read, perform, improvise and play together is Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
This month's poetry topic is, "Every Word is a Bird We Teach to Sing."
Admittance is free, and everyone is welcome, even if you don't write poetry or play music.
Arrive at 6 p.m. for conversation and snacks; the poetry starts at 6:30 p.m.
The Robert L.F. Sikes Crestview Public Library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.
CareerSource Okaloosa sets job fairs
CRESTVIEW — Throughout the year, CareerSource Okaloosa hosts mini job fairs and hiring events to help Northwest Floridians secure employment.
Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the employers' job opportunities and request an on-the-spot interview.
These job fairs are scheduled:
•Mini Job Fair: Jan. 10, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach
•Mini Job Fair: Jan. 24, 1-4 p.m., Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview
•Health Care Mini Job Fair: Feb. 7, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach
•Administrative and Support Mini Job Fair: Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach
Job seekers will be able to:
•Meet prospective employers
•Complete an online or hard-copy application and provide their resume
•Match a face with their application if they have already completed one
•Complete any required assessments
•Request a follow-up interview appointment
Florida Chautauqua Assembly to feature paranormal investigators
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Brad and Barry Klinge, of Everyday Paranormal, will headline the 2018 Florida Chautauqua Assembly.
The pair stormed onto the global paranormal scene with "Ghost Lab," a weekly American television series that premiered Oct. 6, 2009 on the Discovery Channel. The brothers will present how they conduct their investigations, discuss past investigations and provide proof of the paranormal activity.
They will help kick off the Chautauqua with their presentation to those attending on Friday, Jan. 26 at Walton High School. Four-day all-inclusive passports for the entire event are on sale now for $120. Tickets for the Klinge Brothers presentation are $15 each.
Tickets and passports to the 2018 Florida Chautauqua Assembly are available through the event’s webpage, www.floridachautauquaassembly.org, or at 1290 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs.
Act4Mystery sets Crestview dinner theatre
CRESTVIEW — Act4Mystery (formerly Act4Murder) in January will perform two nights of Northwest Florida dinner theatre featuring comedy, mystery and murder.
The local professional comedy troupe, which has performed together since 2003, has a fundraiser planned Jan. 20 for the Greater Federation of Woman’s Clubs’ Fort Walton Beach chapter.
Tickets for "Bebopped at the Sock Hop" — to be held at the Elks Lodge, 1335 Miracle Strip Parkway — cost $40 and can be purchased by calling 582-2511, 974-3899 or 461-1471, or visit PS Gifts in Fort Walton Beach.
The troupe will perform "Killer in the Kitchen" 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Samuel’s Roadhouse, located at 114 John King Road in Crestview. Seating begins at 6 p.m.; the price is $38 and includes a three-course meal. Reservations can be made at www.act4murder.com.
V.I.P. packages with special merchandise and recognition are also available online. Call Act4Mystery at 862-2885 for additional information.
"Our shows are nothing but fun and games, but remember, someone is going to die!" the troupe stated in a media release. "Will you and your table of sleuths win a prize for guessing whodunit?"
Live Oak Baptist sets retreat on work as worship
CRESTVIEW — Live Oak Baptist Church has scheduled their 2018 Work as Worship Retreat. The live event in Dallas will be streamed online to over 2,000 churches around the world.
The event features 11 influential business leaders and pastors who will discuss what it looks like to connect faith and work. The one-day retreat begins at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at the church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview.
A media release for the retreat states, "God has a purpose for us on this earth. That calling is to be on mission for God where He has placed us. And since many people spend the majority of their waking hours on the job, we have to stop compartmentalizing life into 'spiritual activities' and 'work activities.' How are we living examples of the gospel while we work?"
The cost is $25 per person. Go to www.workasworshipretreat.org or www.liveoakbc.net for more information or to register.
Youths’ job training available
CRESTVIEW — Local youths ages 16-24 looking for employment or job training who meet certain criteria may sign up for the Career Pathway to Success, a CareerSource Okaloosa Walton program.
Eligible candidates must meet the age requirement and have one of the following additional requirements apply.
They:
•May not attend high school or they are a high school dropout
•Are in ABE/GED prep classes
•Are homeless, a runaway, or in foster care
•Are pregnant or a parent
•Have a disability
•Live in an out-of-home placement
•Are an offender
Program participants receive Adult Basic Education and GED program classes and earn work-readiness incentives. They learn about job applications, how to create a resume, interviewing skills, employability skills and money management, and the opportunity to complete up to eight weeks of work experience.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Community Briefs