MINI JOB FAIR: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 8, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 NE Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach.
MARDI GRAS WINE GLASS PAINTING CLASS: 10 a.m. Feb. 10 and 11, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free event. All materials provided; Mardi Gras coffee and king cake served. Take the glass you make. RSVP to Jean McCarthy, 682-4432 or jrmccarthy@okaloosa.lib.fl.us.
ECO-NOMIC LIVING EXPO: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11, Santa Rosa Mall, 300 Mary Esther Blvd., Mary Esther. Free to attend. Learn about products and services available to make smart choices for your money, home, health and environment at this Okaloosa Saves and University of Florida extension event. 689-5850.
‘GRIT AND GRACE’ CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH BENEFIT: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 11, 676 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. "Grit and Grace" is a 501(c)(3) organization, the official folk life production of Walton County, Florida. Tickets cost $50 per person and proceeds benefit the organization. Includes a tour of the 1904 home and an hour-long walking tour of its district. Tickets available at The Prissy Hen and Emerald Coast Flowers and Gifts in Freeport; by phone, 259-4317; and at National Tire Brokers, After Glow Salon, The Nook and Cranny and The Book Store in North Walton, among other locations. Details: 270-7008.
VICTORIAN VALENTINE'S TEA: 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. Feb. 11, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Afternoon tea or 6 p.m. candlelight tea. For ages 6 and up; $15 to $18 per person. Learn about the customs and etiquette of taking tea in Victorian England; enjoy light refreshments and information about the historic evolution of Valentine's Day. Reservations required; call 678-2615.
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER FUNDRAISER: 6:15 p.m. Feb. 11 at Foxwood Country Club, 4927 Antioch Road, Crestview. Act4Murder presents, "Pirates, Lies and Mail-Order Brides" at 7 p.m. Includes a three-course meal of salad, Kalua pig, garlic chicken, macaroni salad, rice and desserts by Pounders Hawaiian Grill. Pirate dress is encouraged, and a best-dressed prize will be awarded. Cost: $40 per person. Details: Laurie Klausutis, 826-0959 or dklausutis@gmail.com. Benefits Crestview Relay for Life.
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY: 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, March 13 and April 10, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Guitarist Jose Diaz will perform. Call 682-4432 to schedule a performance date.
WILD TURKEY MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP: 8 a.m. Feb. 23, Ludlam Road, Laurel Hill. Pre-registration due Feb. 15. Topics include Turkey Biology & Management, Timber Management for Turkeys, Prescribing Burns for Turkeys, Roosting Habitat, Nesting and Brood Rearing Habitat, Food Plot Management, Tools & Equipment for Management and Cost-Share Programs. Call 682-3714 extension 3 or 767-3634 to register, or go to National Resources Conservation Service, 938 N. Ferdon Blvd. N, Crestview.
MARDI GRAS GOLF SCRAMBLE: 9 a.m. Feb. 25, Shalimar Pointe Golf Club, 302 County Club Road, Shalimar. Four-person scramble. Camaraderie, festive Mardi Gras theme, raffles, silent auctions, lunch and door prizes. Sponsorship registrations due Feb. 15. Player registration due Feb. 21. Cost: $65 per person or $250 per four-person team. RSVP: www.heritage-museum.org. 678-2615; Barbara Palmgren, chairperson, 974-1910; or Fred Boyer, 582-4417. Benefits Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.
FOOTBALL CHAMP TO VISIT NORTHWEST FLORIDA: Sherman Williams, former University of Alabama and Dallas Cowboy football champion, will attend the following:
●VIP reception and luncheon: 11 a.m. Feb. 17, Compass Rose restaurant, Valparaiso. VIP reception and Pathways to Success luncheon, with keynote address by Williams scheduled. Lunch is at 12:30. Tickets: $50 general admission, $75 VIP admission. Tickets: www.nwfsc.edu/Students/StudentLife/shermanwilliams.cfm.
●Book signing: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 17, Northwest Florida State College Barnes & Noble, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Williams will sign his book, "Crimson Cowboy."
●Pathway to Success Student Symposium, 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 18, Northwest Florida State College Learning Resources Center, building 500, Room 128, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Free to attend; panelists include Sherman and community guests.
Details: Patrice Williams-Shuford, 200-4141 or william3@nwfsc.edu.
PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY CLASSES: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 and 5-8 p.m. May 16 and May 23, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Learn Seminole techniques. $55 to $60 per person. 678-2615.
CROCHET CLASS: 1-3 p.m. Feb. 18, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. $15-$20 per person. Bring yarn and a size J crochet hook. 678-2615.
VAN PORTER STUDENT ART SHOW AND RECEPTION: Show, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays Feb. 21 through March 3, Arts and Design Society Art Center, 17 First St. SE, Fort Walton Beach. Reception, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Art Center. The show highlights art created by Okaloosa County eighth- and 12th-graders. Details: 244-1271, http://artsdesignsociety.org/.
PELICAN PICKERS PERFORMANCE: 6:30-7:15 p.m. Feb. 21, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. For ages 4 and up. Appalachian and gospel music on a wide variety of instruments, including the dulcimer, banjo and harmonica.
MINI JOB FAIR: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 NE Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach.
JUNIOR LEAGUE ROCK THE ROAD 5K/10K: 7 a.m. Feb. 25, Clement Taylor Park, Destin. Cost: $30-$40, www.active.com/destin-fl/running/distance-running-races/rock-the-road-5k-10k-2017. Packet pickup at 7 a.m.; race begins at 8:30 a.m. Post-race festivities are 9:30 a.m. at Dewey Destin’s Bayside. Dress as your favorite classic musician or current pop star. Benefits league projects and programs.
COIN SHOW: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26, The Meridian at Westwood, 1001 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach. Event includes several vendors of numismatic coins, currency, gold and silver bullion. Free to attend. Every attendee will get a free coin courtesy of the Fort Walton Beach Coin Club.
CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB EXHIBITION: 10 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m. Fridays through Feb. 25, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. CPC members' favorite photos are on display.
A SYMPHONY OF TASTE FOOD & WINE FEST: 1-4 p.m. Feb. 26, Northwest Florida State College Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Food samples from area restaurants will be available, as will over 40 wines from around the world, locally brewed craft beers, Florida vineyard wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Silent auction and musical entertainment by jazz favorite Sean Deitrich. Tickets cost $40-$45 each at the door, at 729-6000 or www.mattiekellyartscenter.org. Benefits orchestra and youth music education.
JOB FAIR: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 1, Northwest Florida State College Career Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Employers will be on site recruiting for entry-level, skilled and professional positions in law enforcement, seasonal recreational, retail, restaurant and hospitality. Attendees will be able to submit applications and resumes to employers. Details: Tess Vaccaro, 729-5227 or vaccarot@nwfsc.edu.
BASKET WEAVING CLASS: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. $35-$40 per person. Bring an old towel, spray bottle and a snack if desired. 678-2615.
ADSO FUNDRAISER COOKOUT: 11 a.m. March 11, Arts and Design Society gallery, 17 First St. SE, Fort Walton Beach. Tickets: $12 per person, available at ADSO office. Hamburgers, hotdogs and singer/guitarist Joe Weiss’ live music. Funds will help convert courtyard for functions and classes. Details: www.artsdesignsociety.org, or 244-1271 from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
REVIEW COMMITTEE: 9 a.m. Feb. 13, Human Resources Office, 5479 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Committee will review and consider supplemental submittals for RFP PW 81-16, Solid Waste & Recyclables Collection, Transfer, and Processing/Disposal.
OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
- 8:30 a.m. Feb. 21, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway Shalimar.
- 8:30 a.m. March 7, Crestview City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
- 8:30 a.m. March 21, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway Shalimar.
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL: 2 p.m. Feb. 23, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach.
OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOPS: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 28, March 28, April 25, May 30 and June 27, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway Shalimar.
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.
LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall.
BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. first Thursdays, Baker Area Public Safety Building.
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 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION: 3 p.m. third Thursdays, Niceville Community Center, 204 N. Partin Drive. Call 1-800-226-8914 ext. 231 to confirm.
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.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in North Okaloosa County