TODAY, JANUARY 26
Astronomy
The Northwest Florida Astronomy Association will host how to use your new telescope at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville Campus on the Law Enforcement Driving Obstacle Course. Call 729-5242 or email russoa@nwfsc.edu.
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society
Join Bruce Purdy for a bird walk Jan. 26 at the Okaloosa Landfill and Sprayfields to see a wide variety of interesting birds. Meet at the Coach and Four Restaurant on N. Lewis Turner Blvd. at 7:30 a.m. Call 305-359-5334 or 582-7064.
Tax workshop
A free tax workshop, hosted by Shelter House, will be offered to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Fort Walton Beach Library. To register, call 243-1201.
Topsail tour
Learn what type of creatures, on land and sea, can be found in this area at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Program Ranger requires a $6 entry admission into the park. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330.
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
Topsail tours
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach will hold the following tours. All programs except Breakfast with a Ranger require a $6 entry admission into the park. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. For information, call 267-8330.
• Jan. 26: Learn what type of creatures, on land and sea, can be found in this area at 2 p.m.
• Feb. 2: An informative program on seasonal visitors, the Sea Turtles, at 2 p.m,
• Feb. 8: Learn what makes the Coastal Dune Lakes so special at 3:30 p.m.
• Feb. 9: Breakfast with a Ranger and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife at 9 a.m. To cover the cost of food please bring $5, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast.
• Feb. 15: Take a sunset hike at 5 p.m.
• Feb. 16: Find out about exotic plants and why they are eradicated at 2 p.m.
• Feb. 23: Hike the tram road to the shore of Campbell Lake, one of the rarest types of habitat in the world, at 2 p.m.
OCCSW swearing in
On Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. in the conference room of JobsPlus, 409 Racetrack Road NE in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County Commissioner Kelly Windes will swear in Shirley Pigott (chair), Valerie McLaughlin (vice-chair), Mary Blackwell (secretary) and Amy McBride (treasurer) as the 2013 Officers of the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women. The public is invited. Monhly meeting of OCCSW follows at 6 p.m.
Computer workshops
The Destin Library will offer computer workshops from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the following dates. Workshops are open to individuals with a valid library card and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration required at the library or by fax. The last day for pre-registration will be two days prior to the scheduled workshop date. Call 837-8572.
• Craigslist: Jan. 30
• Digital Photogaphy 2: Jan. 30
• Facebook: Feb. 13
• Microsoft Publisher: Feb. 13
•eBook Readers User Group: Feb. 20
• Picasa: Feb. 20
• Email 1: Feb. 27
• Pinterest: Feb. 27
• Email 2: March 13
• Photo Sharing: March 13
Seminar
Arbor Wealth Management, LLC will host “2013 Market Outlook: Retirement and Income Generation” at 10 a.m. and also at 5 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Arbor Wealth Conference Room. Firm founder and principal Margaret R. McDowell, ChFC®, AIF, will lead a Power Point presentation that provides an overview of anticipated market trends in 2013. Income generation and investment strategies outlined are most appropriate for investors with $250,000 or more of investable assets. Refreshments will be served. Call 608-6121 to reserve seating.
Home-based business expo
Network with home based business owners to learn about many unique opportunities from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Mary Esther United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 703 East Miracle Strip Parkway. Admission is free; open to the public.
Child ID
New York Life Insurance Company will host a free Child ID event from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 1 and 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 2 at the Destin Community Center. Fun activities for parents and children will teach important lessons about how to stay safe at home, at play and in the community. All children accompanied by a parent/guardian will receive a complimentary Identification Card, complete with emergency contact information, a photograph and fingerprints. Call 650-3029.
Free pancakes at IHOP
IHOP will give away free pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 5 to celebrate National Pancake Day. The fundraiser aims to raise $3 million to kick off Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ 30th anniversary.
AARP Income Tax help
Volunteers from AARP will provide free individual federal tax assistance on an appointment only basis at the Destin Library from 9 am. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 7 through April 11. Call 837‐8572 and make an appointment.
Then and Now
The Then and Now Lecture Series presents Historian Alan Manning on “Presidents and the Presidency: 1912-1936” at 6 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Indiana Temple Mound Museum in Fort Walton Beach. Doors open 20 minutes prior to lecture start time, and all seats are on a first come, first serve basis.
SERRV Market
The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Walton Beach, 134 Beal Avenue, SW, will be the site of a SERRV Craft Market, an international craft market of fairly traded handmade items from around the world, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10, 17 and 24 and from 10 a.m., to 1 p.m. Feb. 13, 16, 20 and 23.
See a large assortment of authentic and unique items and shop for handmade items from around the world. Purchasers will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped make a difference in the lives of artisans who are striving to support their families and are being paid fairly for their efforts. Call 243-3732 or 243-4777.
Covenant training workshop
Covenant Hospice is seeking individuals and groups to join its volunteer team. A training workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Covenant Hospice office, 220 Eglin Parkway N.E. in Fort Walton Beach. The workshop is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. Covenant provides a flexible volunteer schedule with opportunities for one time, periodic or weekly volunteer assignments. To register or to learn more, call 598-9634.
United Way luncheon
The United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties will host the Campaign 2012 "LIVE UNITED … Results You Can See" celebration/annual meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Shalimar United Methodist Church. Lunch will be $15 per person and corporate tables of 8 are available for $120. RSVP by Feb. 3 to 243-0315 or email events@united-way.org.
Team parties
Team parties for the 2013 Destin Relay for Life will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 20 at the Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island. Call 318-455-9400 or email emccor-mick002@yahoo.com.
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 3-3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30-10:15 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.
• Baton lessons: Begins in the spring. Call 699-8309.
• Chair yoga: Thursday at 10 a.m. Cost is $3/class.
• Duplicate bridge: At 9:30 a.m. Mondays and 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Buck Destin Park. Entry fee: $6. No partner needed.
• Game room: Open to children 10 and older and under 10 accompanied by adult from 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday.
• Intermediate party bridge: Mondays and Tuesdays at 12:45 p.m. at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.
• Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call 621-3055.
• Kidz Klub: After-school program from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• Modern line dance: Classes from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 11. Fee is $5/class.
• Open gym: Check ahead for times and dates open.
• Pickle ball: Pickle Ball courts will be set up at noon Mondays and Thursdays for beginning players and 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays for advanced players. Fee is $2.
• Table tennis: 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays.
• Tennis Academy: A tennis program with USPTA Professional Brian Wilson at Buck Destin Park on Legion Drive. This program will be open to all ages and abilities with days and times to be determined. Group classes will be one hour long and cost $15 a session. Private lessons will be $50 an hour. To sign up or for more information, email srbtennispro@yahoo.com.
• Walking Club: Walk with music from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday.
• Woodcarving: Fridays at 9 a.m. Fee is $3.
• Yoga: Thursdays at noon. Cost is $5/class.
• Zumba gold: Thursday at 11 a.m. Cost is $6/class.