CRESTVIEW — Here are upcoming and recent events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas.
Tourist Development Council to meet
FORT WALTON BEACH — Tourist Development Council will convene at 9 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach for its regular meeting.
Super Soaker inventor to speak on perseverance
NICEVILLE — The public is invited to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center for a free program titled The Power of Perseverance, featuring Lonnie Johnson, U.S. Air Force veteran, NASA engineer and inventor of the Super Soaker squirt gun.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and the program begins at 7:30 p.m. at Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Limited seating is available.
Johnson, who invented the Super Soaker squirt gun, will discuss his history and how the ever increasing rate of technology evolution impacts the future. The gun received multiple industry awards, including Outdoor Toy of the Year.
“Lonnie Johnson has made a significant impact with his work, and I encourage educators, parents and leaders throughout our region to bring students to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center for an opportunity to learn from a NASA Nuclear Engineer,” NWF President Dr. Devin Stephenson.
The next free event in the President's Speaker Series features money experts Rachel Cruze and Chris Hogan at 7:30 p.m. April 4.
Martin Luther King Jr. parade is scheduled
CRESTVIEW — The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade begins with a line up at 9 a.m. Jan. 19, at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Lloyd Street in Crestview. The parade will march to the Okaloosa County Courthouse lawn for a program immediately afterward.
Paint refinishing open house set
CRESTVIEW — A local boutique will host a Jolie Home all-day paint refinishing open house this weekend. It will include live painting demos, and hands-on instruction for various finishing techniques and color mixing.
Shades of BLU's free event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19 at the store, 426 James Lee Blvd. W, Crestview. Call 331-2690 for more information.
Courts to close Jan. 21 for holiday observance
CRESTVIEW — The courts of the First Judicial Circuit will be closed Jan. 21 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Regular operations will resume Jan. 22.
Local Boy Scout troop now open to girls
CRESTVIEW — For the first time in its 100-year history, the Boy Scouts of America will be open to young women.
The Men’s Club of the First United Methodist Church is chartering the first Scouts-BSA troop for girls ages 11-17 in North Okaloosa County.
Troop 33's meet and greet is 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at FUMC, 599 8th St., Crestview. Email smicrestviewtroop33@gmail.com for more information.
Historian to present information on West Florida's early days
CRESTVIEW — Historian Hank Klein will speak on the topic "The Early Days of West Florida." The presentation starts at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.
Call 682-4432 to reserve a seat.
The remainder of his presentations are listed below.
•"The Old East Pass & Destin Lighthouse Keepers," 6 p.m. Jan. 25, Heritage Park and Cultural Center, 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Call 833-9595 to RSVP.
•"Major Public Land Laws of the U.S.," during the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County meeting, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 26, Fort Walton Beach Library, 185 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.
•"Miramar Beach was Once Shoals, Florida," 10 a.m. Jan. 30, Coastal Library of Walton County, 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach.
•"Destin Pioneer Settlers – A Land History of Destin from 1819-1940," during The Resurrection Snowbird Group meeting, 10 a.m. Jan. 31, Resurrection Catholic Church, 259 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach.
•"History Mystery Too," 7 a.m. Feb. 6, duinrg the Mid-Bay Rotary Club meeting, American House at Bluewater Bay, fifth floor, 4595 U.S. Highway 20 East, Niceville.
•Second "Early Days of Northwest Florida" presentation during the Destin History and Fishing Museum membership and board meeting, 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the museum, 108 Stahlman Ave., Destin.
•"How Did Destin Become Destin?" presentation is 5 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Destin museum, 108 Stahlman Ave.
Boyles to host Coffee with the Commissioner event
BAKER — Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles will discuss issues relating to the services, programs and improvements provided by Okaloosa County.
Multiple members of the Board of County Commissioners may attend and participate in the discussion, which is open to the public.
"Coffee with the Commissioner" starts at 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Camp Retreat, 5493 U.S. Highway 4, Baker.
Law enforcement leaders graduate from leadership academy
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute announces the recent graduation of 37 first-line supervisors from the Florida Leadership Academy. These graduates serve in leadership roles representing 29 criminal justice agencies throughout the state.
The graduates met for four week-long sessions at the St. Johns River State College in St. Augustine. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.
The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.
Graduates include Jason Folley and Samantha Schill, both of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Community Briefs