CRESTVIEW — Here’s a calendar of upcoming events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas. 

AUTHORS MEET, GREET & EAT: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19, Café Bienville, 314 Bayshore Drive, Niceville. Northwest Florida writers will chat and sign books for attendees. Includes North Okaloosa authors Devin Lee Carlson; Tammie Hunter; Tami Kidd; Angela Yuriko Smith; Jeff Janes; Nikki Bitioker; Terry B. Miles; Ashley West; Bob Newkirk; and DeLois Jackson.

BOSTON BUTT FUNDRAISER: Connect Church (formerly Pleasant Hill Baptist Church) is taking prepaid orders through Aug. 23 for a smoked Boston butt fundraiser. Proceeds will help get the church's new pastor and his family to Crestview from Utah. The roasts cost $35 each. Pickup is available from 2-6 p.m. Aug. 26 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church fellowship hall, 5595 US Highway 4, Baker. Call or text Rhonda Nelson, 398-7755, to place an order.

‘HERITAGE ALIVE! CRAFT CLASS SERIES’: Learn a new skill and make something uniquely yours at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required for all classes.  Call 678-2615 for more information or visit www.heritage-museum.org.

Upcoming events include:

• Jewelry Making — 5-6 p.m. Aug. 25. Make your own matching necklace and earrings. All supplies included. Cost: $30; or $25 for museum members.
• Pine Needle Basketry — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 26. Using the original Seminole technique, weave your own pine needle basket. Cost: $60; or $55 for museum members.
• Mosaics — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 2. Create your own unique design using various objects. Bring your own mementos to incorporate. Cost: $30; or $25 for museum members.
• Knitting — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 16, Learn basic stitches and begin a project of your choice. Bring yarn and size 8 circular needles. Cost: $20; or $15 for museum members
• Loom Weaving — 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 20. Weave on a loom with Sandy Sutton. Cost: $70; or $65 for museum members.

The museum is at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso.

SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING: 11:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Aug. 21, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. View the solar eclipse at the college's sundial, located at the north end of building 350. Niceville will experience 82 percent coverage of the solar eclipse. The partial eclipse begins at 12:04:54 p.m. and ends at 3:03:27 p.m. The max eclipse will be at 1:37:06 p.m. This is the first total eclipse of the sun visible from the contiguous United States since 1979. Contact Anthony Russo, russoa@nwfsc.edu or 729-5242, for more on the eclipse or NWFSC astronomy classes.

JOIN THE HOLT SCOUTS: 6 p.m. Aug. 21, First Baptist Church of Holt Fellowship Hall, 532 US Highway 90. Scout Pack 532 is for kindergarten through fifth-grade students. The pack is also enrolling adult leaders and volunteers. Register at www.beascout.org. Details: Natalie Chandler, 537-8408, ngcoop@gmx.com or Courtney Strom, 228-365-1995, Courtney.strom.3@gmail.com.

DAILY NEWS EDITOR IS ECPRO SPEAKER: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22,  Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant, 67 Eglin Parkway NE, Fort Walton Beach. Bob Heist, Northwest Florida Daily News executive editor, is guest speaker on "fake news.” Lunch costs $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers and $10 for students. Those who wish to may go to www.ecpro.org and look under "meeting info" to pay in advance. Kathy Morrow, 850-974- 3662.

PENSACOLA BAY ALZHEIMER'S WALK KICKOFF: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 22, The Bridge Bar, Gulf Breeze.

WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME CEREMONY: 7 p.m. Aug. 22, Student Services Center, Room 132-133, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Honors this year’s inductees in the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women Hall of Fame. RSVPs required. Call 685-7786 to RSVP or for details.

FALL/CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Point Washington United Methodist Church Woman’s Ministries will be having their annual Fall/Christmas Bazaar on Oct. 27 and 28. Contact Kathy Carpenter. Craft vendor table reservations are due by Sept. 1. Contact Kathy Carpenter, 850-231- 2706 or jkcarpenter@mchsi.com, to RSVP. Tables measuring six feet by three feet cost $20 for both days.

‘LADIES WIGGIN’ OUT FOR A CAUSE’ BENEFIT: 6-10 p.m. Sept. 7, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, in the Emerald Coast Theatre space. Features an 80’s psychedelic rock ‘n roll theme. The Ladies Night event includes wine, food, music and happenings. Attendees get a swag bag with a wig inside, then Avantgarde Salon artists will transform each person's look with hair and makeup touch-ups. Followed with food and entertainment, including a photo booth and silent auction. Advance tickets cost $75; at-the-door tickets cost $100. VIP tickets with a designer wig are $100 in advance and $125 at the door. Purchase at www.eccac.org or call 833-9237, extension 283. Proceeds benefit the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

SISTER CITY FRANCE TRIP: The Crestview Area Sister City Program welcomes residents to join the Sept. 7-18 journey to Noirmoutier, France. Participants stay with host families in this immersive cultural and educational experience. They must join the Crestview Area Sister City Program and assume responsibility for their own air travel arrangements to and from France. Dues are currently $20 per individual, $2 per full-time student, and $30 per family. Details: www.CrestviewSisterCity.org.

BAKER GATOR REUNION: Baker School Class of 1967 graduates seek classmates for their 50-year reunion Sept. 9 at the Baker Arena Community Center, 5503 U.S. Highway 4, Baker. Call 537-9191, 758-7966, 978-2135 or 978-1974 for details.

HISPANIC FEST 2017: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 10, Emerald Coast Convention Center,1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Family-oriented, cultural and educational event showcases the best of Hispanic folklore; features live and DJ music, food and culture. Performances from start to finish, and 60 vendors. Includes a tribute to military by the Village Belles. Includes facepainting, games, clowns, magicians, piñatas. Proceeds benefit the 13th Annual Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Needy Children’s Fiesta.

ARMY REUNION, 100TH ANNIVERSARY:  Sept. 13-17, Arlington, Virginia. The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division at any time. The association will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the division, which was formed in France during World War I. Details: Secretary-treasurer Bob Haynes at 2idahq@comcast.net, 224-225-1202, or visit www.2ida.org. 

MA-CHIS POW WOW: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15 and 16 at Troy University's main campus practice field, 601 University Ave., Troy, Alabama. Parking and admission for the Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama event are free. Vendors include food, jewelry, Native American items and pottery, among other things. Demonstrations of Southeastern Indian skills and daily life activities are scheduled. Small gifts will be given to children at the event.

JOYNER-KERSEE TO SPEAK: 5 p.m. VIP and 6:30 p.m. main event Sept. 21 at Boys & Girls Clubs of South Walton, 427 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. Six-time Olympic track and field medalist, and BGC alumna Jackie Joyner-Kersee will address the BGC 4th Annual Steak & Stake fundraising dinner attendees. VIP tickets cost $150. Regular tickets cost $100. Contact Crystal Mayes, 344-7763 or cmayes@bgcec.com to purchase or sponsor.

'KINGS OF HARLEM' PERFORMANCE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Layon Gray's off-Broadway play depicts the story of the Harlem Rens, the first all African-American basketball team formed in the 1920s and their struggles against the overt racism and discrimination encountered in establishing their legitimacy as a professional team.

Tickets cost $37.50 at the theater box office, www.mattiekellyartscenter.org, or by calling 729-6000. 

OKALOOSA LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION PUBLIC HEARING: 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 5, in room 142 of the Northwest Florida State College Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center, 805 James Lee Blvd. E, Crestview. Fort Walton Beach. Chairman Mel Ponder and members of the Okaloosa County state legislative delegation invite you to join them. The Florida Department of Transportation will host a meeting beforehand from 5-5:30 p.m. Delegation members will hear public comments on proposals for the 2018 Legislative Session. They may also consider and vote on a “local bill” (which is state legislation that only pertains to a municipality, taxing district, or school district within the county).

HEALTHY OKALOOSA TOWN HALL: 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 5 at The Barn at Water Oaks Farm, 4080 Second Ave., Laurel Hill. RSVP required to HealthyOkaloosa5210@flhealth.gov or call 344-0662. The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County will have a town hall meeting on making Okaloosa a healthier place to live, learn, work, and play. Community members will review draft copies of the 2017 Community Health Assessment, and ask attendees to provide feedback on the CHA and help identify priority public health issues.

REP. WILLIAMSON MEETS WITH CONSTITUENTS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21, Okaloosa County Extension Office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. State Rep. Jayer Williamson will discuss area concerns, issues and the upcoming legislative session. Call the district office, 850-995-3698, for information or to make an appointment.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETINGS:

• 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Robert L.F. Sikes Center, Northwest Florida State College, 805 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.
• 3 p.m. Dec. 14, training room of the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

Meeting schedule and location are subject to change. For updates and agendas, visit www.wfrpc.org or email tiffany.bates@wfrpc.org, or 332-7976, extension 217.

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays in the Baker Area Public Safety Building, 1375 19th St.

REP. JAYER WILLIAMSON OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Call 995-3698 for an appointment.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall.

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

OKALOOSA-WALTON NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS: for chamber members and their employees. Details: 682-3212 or info@crestviewchamber.com. http://www.crestviewchamber.com.

PILOT COMMITTEE MEETING: noon Aug. 24, New York's Famous Pizza & Pasta, 2511 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. For young professionals ages 21-41.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE MEETING: 8:30 a.m. Aug. 30, Crestview chamber, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Learn how being an ambassador can help grow your business. Details: Amber Ellis or Karen Donaldson, ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in North Okaloosa County