Sunday's Super Bowl won't have the lone kick-off. The News Bulletin's weekend edition — available on racks Feb. 1-4 — officially kicks off a project a year in the making. (Editor's Note: Due to this week's storm, this has been rescheduled for the Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014 edition.)

I like to call it "Bold. Fresh. Page-turner." It basically means you'll increasingly see the value of the News Bulletin's print edition.

The "Bold" part of the equation means we'll be printing a particularly visual newspaper with more analysis and extra information than ever before.

For instance, Matthew Brown's report, ("Prom fashion takes focus on Friday," Page A1) could have informed readers about Crestview High School's prom fashion show, what it's about, when it's scheduled and how much it costs to attend. And that would have been fine on CNB Online's home page.

However, print readers pay for their news, so they, naturally, deserve more than a who-what-when-where story. So the same report includes a sidebar about prom fashion do's and dont's and an interview with one of the students modeling tuxedos.

The "Fresh" piece of the puzzle means our valued subscribers will see stepped up emphasis on feature reporting. Examples are reporter Brian Hughes' crowd-pleasing stories on the nicknames behind North Okaloosa landmarks and why just 10 miles separate many Northwest Florida communities.

Our readers won't find those stories anywhere else. That's because our print edition's shift in story direction, which we're currently phasing in, isn't always tied to police blotters or current events. For instance, our Jan. 29 cover story, ("Fearless creators") features the Pink Pencil art club, which you may not have heard of since only 10 women belong to it.

That's the point.

With North Okaloosa's influx of residents, particularly military families, we want to complement our usual reporting with stories that help you get better acquainted with your new home. Stories that, even if you've lived here forever, move you to take a second look at that club or organization you saw on our Bulletin Board calendar but never had the chance to check out.  

And we want to be the only news organization to bring you that story. (Betcha that's the case for that Pink Pencil club.)

We respect our readers, and will tell you right now that, because we have to pay the bills, this premium content will appear only in the print edition. That brings added value to the newspaper with a plan to ensure we can keep covering North Okaloosa for another 39 years!

So, what does this mean for newspaper sections? Well, that's my favorite part: more news! Which is the "Page-turner" portion.

With help from our local recreational and youth leagues, we will gradually expand the Sports section's offerings, feature player profiles and dig deeper to understand who these young athletes are off the field, too. In addition to star players, you'll also hear about the beloved bench warmers. Rest assured, you'll still see the games' play-by-play action; it'll just move back a page so that the newest stories come first.

Community, Military, Government, Health, Lifestyle, Education, Law Enforcement, Business and Faith will remain, but the pages will become increasingly pleasing to the eye and often explain the news' significance. (I see that critique all the time — "Why is this news?" — on our Facebook page, and have heard you loud and clear!)

I loved when Brian pointed out that View From the Stage's casting for "The Miracle Worker" represents the Crestview theatre troupe's shift to perform — and public's ability to view — complex drama right here where we live. Readers often say they have to travel to Fort Walton Beach or elsewhere to see a certain kind of theatre production or eat at a preferred restaurant, so it's beneficial to spell out how needs are being satisfied.

The Opinion page, which has evolved in content and tone since its fall 2012 revival, will remain the place I like to call a "public campfire." Here, we'll continue to go around the circle, taking turns, to share what's great about our community and identify areas for improvement. However, we're all neighbors and should keep the discussion civil. Passionately debating the merits of a local city council's vote, for instance, is OK, but we will not publish personal attacks or remarks that do not respect our local leaders' office and our neighbors' dignity.

There's more in store, like complementing our Facebook and Twitter outlets with another social media channel — Instagram! — but there's not enough space to tell it all. I just hope you'll like what you see. It'll be a more positive, increasingly community-oriented newspaper to complement increased offerings of who-what-when-where stories that will mostly go to crestviewbulletin.com readers.

Change excites me, particularly when it makes sense. And what makes more sense than rewarding our loyal subscribers with deeper stories and analysis in a more visually appealing publication that enhances the connection with their community? And, for our web readers, offering a more robust selection of crime, government and other timely news?

Reader habits change, so we evolve. Rest assured, I read every last Facebook and crestviewbulletin.com comment we receive, so your voice is always heard. And anyone who's phoned the newsroom can tell you I have a listening ear. Dawn, our receptionist, might say you caught me on deadline, but when you get a call back a few hours later, you might want to clear all appointments because I'm completely yours. No one will tell you I rushed them off the phone. (I probably get that from my mother.)

With that said, here's a thank-you to an untold number of you for helping making Bold. Fresh. Page-turner a reality.

This is your newspaper, and all I did was keep a running list of everything you told me you wanted to see in the paper, identified the most popular requests, and came up with a game plan.

Ultimately, this is all for you. Enjoy!

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EDITOR’S DESK: Coming soon — a 'Bold, Fresh, Page-turner'

Musical lovers are in for a treat Feb. 28, when Crestview resident Mike Smith's production, "Generations: A Collection of Black American Music," opens.

Ten actors will explore black history using music from each decade of the 1900s when the show hits the Mattie Kelly Arts Center's Mainstage at Northwest Florida State College.

However, something Smith told reporter Brian Hughes — that the music was relevant to the time — struck me.

"In the 1960s, as the fire hoses were being turned on and the dogs were being released, you hear Aretha Franklin singing 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T," Smith said, adding there was a hidden meaning.

I thought about how we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday this week. Then I thought about the Rev. Edwin Stallworth, of 6th Avenue Baptist Church in Florala, Ala., who said Saturday that the African-American community has "digressed in many ways … with the prison system, teenage pregnancies, high school drop-outs and black-on-black crime." There's hope, he said during Crestview's MLK observance, if people inspire others to continue King's legacy.

Then I looked up Billboard's Top 10 R&B and hip-hop songs for this week. What would be their relevance?

In a nutshell, here's what each song says…

No. 10: "Love More," Chris Brown featuring Nicki Minaj. The title sounds inspirational, but the song is devoid of love. The expletive-laden track's central message is that the couple's volatile relationship is headed nowhere so the answer is to have lots of sex until they get it right. Both partners are reduced to the value of their body parts.   

No. 9: "Talk Dirty, Jason Derulo featuring 2 Chainz. The singers wax poetic about their wealth, power, anatomy and why women who don't speak their language should give them sexual favors.

No. 8: "Blurred Lines," Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell. Three topless women without voices — literally and figuratively — parade around the music video's set while the singers repeatedly come onto them and say "I know you want it." The line caused critics to dub it "the rape song." And yes, they also bragged about their anatomy.

No. 7: "My Hitta," YG featuring Jeezy & Rich Home Quan. An anthem about dying with a "finger on the trigger," sharing a woman — but instead, calling her another name for a female dog — with friends as if she's a public utility; and numerous other anecdotes with profanity.

No. 6: "23," Mike Will Made-It, featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J. It's about J's — Jordans — on their feet. In other words, a song that glorifies $200 shoes that people literally kill to own. In this alternate universe, you're "lame" if you're not "high on Purp" (a strain of marijuana), have no respect and generally don't care about anything. Cyrus, on her worldwide tour to prove she's no longer Hannah Montana, found the secret to success: act utterly disgraceful. That's where the real money is.

No. 5: "White Walls," Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, featuring Schoolboy Q & Hollis. The best thing in the world, apparently, is having an off-black Cadillac with promiscuous women snorting cocaine in the backseat — didn't you know?

No. 4: "Show Me," Kid Ink featuring Chris Brown. The best way to woo a woman? Call her another name for a female dog and justify the disrespect by saying it's "on the real."

No. 3, "Hold On, We're Going Home," Drake featuring Majid Jordan. This is actually a sweet song about a woman's indelible impression. The music video, on the other hand, features a kidnapping storyline, and the only way for the guy to save the woman — of course — is for him and his friends to suit up in protective gear, arm themselves with semiautomatic rifles and take the law into their own hands.

No. 2, "Drunk In Love," Beyonce featuring Jay Z. There's nothing really shocking or degrading here. The couple sing about how drunk they get from each other. Their descriptions of all-night sexcapades could seem voyeuristic and raise some people's eyebrows. But to each his or her own. Well, Beyonce also enjoys when he calls her a female dog.

No. 1, "The Monster," Eminem featuring Rihanna. Eminem just wants to make music without the fame, which has isolating consequences. Perhaps this song — which says the price of being a rap star isn't worth the tradeoff — brings the list full circle.

Plato is believed to have said, "I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning."

We say it's entertainment, but when listening to hip-hop, R&B, country and rock music, are we actually listening to what we are learning?

And more important, does the music we listen to capture King's dream, honoring everyone's equality and human dignity, or does it symbolically reverse his hard work, debase humanity and glorify objects over people?

I contemplate these questions while considering pop culture's heavy influence, along with responses from North Okaloosa residents who expressed concern that people don't realize the dream's significance, or even what it really meant.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EDITOR’S DESK: Hip-hop music: setting the civil rights movement backward?

Here are featured readers' comments from crestviewbulletin.com and our Facebook page. Hubbub publishes regularly in the News Bulletin's Wednesday editions.

TOP COMMENT: Traffic solutions usually are costly

The only true way to alleviate traffic is to build the on-off ramp at the PJ Adams overpass, and also east of Crestview connecting with Airman's Memorial. Airman's Memorial should also be finished and connected with Okaloosa Lane via an overpass, with a straight shot to (Highway) 90. This would create a way for folks to go from west to east of Crestview, bypassing all the local roads via I-10.

…Ideally, a bypass would be constructed on Eglin property, via Colonel Greg Malloy Road and Rattlesnake Bluff Road, that would not only connect with I-10 but would completely bypass Crestview, going to far west 90 and far east 90. If that were done, it would easily eliminate another 30 percent of traffic on 85.

…Another thing I want to add is that one of the reasons this, and so many other things do not get built is not due to the city, but due to private land owners who refuse to sell their land; or, if they do want to sell, asking a ridiculous price far above market value, which causes businesses to leave.

There are solutions; unfortunately, the right solutions are usually not the cheapest.

Jonah Irvington

•••

Exit off Highway 90 needed

I still think there should be an exit off of Highway 90 that will come out near Highway 393. Highway 393 is the only road connecting Highways 90 and 85. It would be great not only for those who live east of Crestview and work in the Fort Walton area, but (would serve as) a great hurricane evacuation route as well.

Amanda Hilton Colonna

•••

Improve city with nicer establishments

Crestview needs to get with the … times already. Build something other than another gun shop or … place no one needs. Here's a thought: Target. Buffalo Wild Wings. Anything! Please!

Krystal burger is the best we can do?

If you would allow these nicer establishments in, you would employ thousands of people, thus improving your city as a whole.

Scott Harris

•••

Anticipating Bulldog wrestling program's future

Coach Black is an awesome coach to these boys — he is someone they look up to. He has really done something with this program, and we can't wait to see where it goes in the years ahead. They all make a great team! Go get 'em, Dawgs!

Kim Lennard Johnson

•••

Youth wrestling program needed

I wish they would get a youth wresting program going here again! I hate having to drive my son to Niceville to wrestle. He wants to be a Bulldog!

Marci Robertson Houser

•••

Kudos to Crestview High for caring about grammar

So glad there is a school district that actually cares about spelling and grammar. Great job, Julianne.

Ginni Dan Cronin

•••

Additions for Crestview High's "Unforgivables" list

If these are not already on the list, "then" and "than" should be added as well. I see this mistake far too often, and that includes in professional news articles.

Katie Enterkin

•••

Geese should 'do business' elsewhere

I don't believe in animal cruelty. But I feel they need to get the geese out of the park.

I took my grandchildren there to "feed the ducks" once and was horrified at the behavior of the geese. As a matter of fact, I felt like my grandchildren and myself witnessed vile animal behavior. The male duck violently did his business with several other geese in a very violent manner. It was very traumatizing to my babies and we left upset.

However, I would never consider abusing them. They just need to be re-located to a wildlife area.

Sandy S. Davidson

•••

Proposed hunting law revisions perplexing

So do I stop the buck before or after I want to shoot him to check his antlers against these new (regulations)?

These aren't fish … there's no catch and release here.

Jon Bell

•••

Replace pines with flowering trees

Join the Arbor Day Foundation and get those beautiful trees! Much better than those … pine trees that grow everywhere. Give the birds a beautiful home supplied with food!

Rose Casey

•••

Top 10 list was missing something

Maybe you should have had an honorable mention for the 60 senior citizens whose lives were touched when they received two Safe Step walk-in tubs and toilet paper for life …

It was a heartwarming story of people who cared and reached out to help those who needed help. Seeing the tears of joy and the happy faces during the presentation makes this story, to me, a top 10 story without a doubt.

But we'll settle for at least an honorable mention.

Shirley Perring

•••

An answer to Laurel Hill columnist's question

My husband says if he knew he only had three weeks left to live he would quit his job and move in with his mother-in-law. Not only would it be the longest three weeks of his life, but he would be relieved when it was over.

Angie Stevenson Nousiainen

•••

'Great' to see Dozer giving pleasure

How great to see this magnificent Great Dane interacting so much with the community in many ways — and giving pleasure to so many people! Kudos to Angie and her therapy dog, Dozer.

Rosemary Meding

Want to comment? Visit our Facebook page, send a letter to News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni or Tweet him @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Top comments, Jan. 15, 2014

The New Year inspires people to study harder, diet and exercise, spend less and save more and avoid bad habits.

But let's face it: These goals often serve one person — and maybe his or her household.

When we do something positive for someone outside our home, particularly in our community, we set off a chain reaction.

Last Wednesday, guest columnist Jenni Perkins, senior development and communications manager of Covenant Hospice, Okaloosa & Walton Counties, asked our readers to consider volunteering for Covenant Hospice.

She knows the score: "When people think about volunteering for hospice, their first thought may be, 'I could never do that,' or 'I would be too depressed,'" she wrote.

That hit home.

About four years ago, I was editor of The Daphne Bulletin and Spanish Fort Sun in Alabama when a Covenant Hospice representative asked if I wanted to join the organization's Community Advisory Board.

I took a few days to mull the idea and, fearing the unknown, politely declined the invitation. And regretted that decision.

Since then, my brother lived and studied in Italy to become a priest. That's why my family took a trip to Rome, the Amalfi Coast and other locations. Spending time in these ancient areas, which held such significance to my heritage, left an impression. It instilled a firm connection between the past and present. It provided a sense of purpose I lost, perhaps, when my father died 10 years prior.

My brother's selflessness and willingness to find the bright side of any situation also was inspiring.

Fast forward a  few years, throw in some enlightenment and a move to Florida and I'm no longer the editor who stays cloistered in his office.

Community involvement ranges from volunteering to simply getting out more. It means managing our various charitable efforts, whether we're collecting for Sharing and Caring or other nonprofits. I'm networking with the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Professional and Inspired Leaders of Tomorrow; representing the News Bulletin at each chamber breakfast; serving as Relay For Life Crestview's publicity chair; and — yes, I'm happy to say — I've accepted an invitation to serve on Covenant Hospice's Community Advisory Board.

Hopefully, to help that organization with its mission. Hopefully, on a personal note, to right a wrong from four years ago.

Really, it was a sin of omission.

Now, it's one of my many New Year's resolutions.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EDITOR’S DESK: Resolve to be involved in your community

As you are thinking about your New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to make one of those resolutions to become a Covenant Hospice volunteer.

When people think about volunteering for hospice, their first thought may be, “I could never do that,” or “I would be too depressed.”

Talk to a Covenant Hospice volunteer and he or she will tell you a different story. 

Covenant volunteers come from many backgrounds — retirees, professionals, active military personnel and high school and college students. But they all have one thing in common: a desire to give back.

And they receive so much in return.

Covenant has opportunities for people with diverse skills and interests.

Volunteers looking for a chance to meet people and be active in the community will love Covenant’s Ambassador Program.

Covenant’s fundraising events are the perfect fit for those wanting to have fun and socialize with others.

Volunteers who enjoy office work or computers can find a home in administrative support.

Individuals with care-giving experience or emotional and spiritual support skills may choose to visit Covenant’s patients and families in their homes or nursing facilities.

Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one understand what families have gone through, and make wonderful bereavement volunteers. Volunteers receive specialized training that prepares them to volunteer in their area of interest. 

Our volunteers help patients and their families by gardening, cleaning yards, making simple home repairs, building wheelchair ramps, sewing, crocheting, cooking and baking.

Covenant Hospice promises our volunteers that they will find a sense of purpose, worthwhile work and realization that they are making a difference. That’s why more than 2,600 individuals have chosen to give an important part of their lives to Covenant Hospice. 

The Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has presented Awards of Excellence for the Ambassador Volunteer Program, the Reflections Life Review Journal Program and the Tuck-in Program. The late Sam Goldenberg and his wife, Joyce, long-time Covenant Hospice volunteers, received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

So while you are composing and implementing your New Year’s resolutions, please think about becoming a Covenant Hospice volunteer.

I promise it’s a resolution that is easy to keep, and extremely rewarding.

WANT TO HELP?

Volunteer training sessions are as follows:

•Jan. 21 and 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4100 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite B-6 in Crestview

•Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 220 Eglin Parkway NE in Fort Walton Beach

Call Volunteer and Community Relations manager Carolyn Williams, 682-3628, for more details.

Jenni Perkins, senior development and communications manager of Covenant Hospice, Okaloosa & Walton Counties

What's your view? Email commentary on local issues that you are passionate about to news@crestviewbulletin.com or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GUEST COLUMN: Help hospice patients, their families in 2014

Here is a passage of some Monday-evening text messages:

Girl: "Hey How's work."

Me: "Crazy busy today."

(A few hours later; after a few unanswered phone calls, it's time to fish.)

Me: "You're probably watching The Bachelor, honestly!"

Girl: "Haha no watching Auburn game And bored"

Me: "I'm now watching antiques road show on pubs while having dinner. Haven't seen this in years."

"Pbs"

"My gosh I dislike architect"

"Autocrat"

"I mean auto correct!"

This is why Crestview High School's "Unforgivables" effort — which brands commonly misspelled or misused words and phrases as outlaws — is important. Communication is crucial to a functional, thriving society, but technology sometimes has a way of making us lazy.

I  added a texting service to my mobile plan three years ago — at least eight years later than my peers. Before, it seemed like a waste of time and money. Before, I questioned what reducing someone, particularly a friend, to alphanumeric input must mean for human dignity and civilization.

But, as it says in the country song, "I did it for the girl."

Initially, I texted like I edit: In AP style, with  the brevity of William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White's "Elements of Style," compliant with "The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style" and "Bubba's English," a weekly grammar lesson that ran for decades in the Mobile Register, my hometown paper; and with just one or two I's or me's to prevent the text from appearing selfish. (Forgive me for breaking that last one in this column; and for the apostrophes to pluralize. Style mavens still butt heads on that one and you sometimes have to pick the one that, right or wrong, brings the most clarity!) I even proofread texts before hitting send.

As I waded deeper into alphanumeric culture, texted more and noticed people at work treating texts as informal communication, peppering messages with emoticons and LOLs, it became clear: Texting has its own accepted, abbreviated language of convenience.

But the real revelation came later, as alphanumeric culture creeped increasingly into everyday life, and English's erosion started to show; it's now common to hear teenagers say "LOL" or "OMG," abbreviating whatever they can, seemingly, to shorten the time their lips move.

Crestview High School teachers say text-speak is toxic in their classrooms. That's not surprising; 1990s adults and college students with excellent-to-average grammar skills  can switch seamlessly from using formal English in thank-you notes and essays to informal, mostly grammatically correct speech. But millennials who grew up primarily on text-speak already have a shaky foundation and apparently can't determine when to make the switch.

Of course, the culture is increasingly informal, so it's probably hard for students to tell what's acceptable. Compare children's dialogue and attire from 1920s-1960s films with those from films today. Consider how children address their parents and teachers, the taboos or lack thereof and the bounds of appropriate behavior. I'm in the camp who believes those things play a role.

Regardless of how things got this way, we know the ultimate goal is clear communication.

As I write this, a text comes in from Girl: "Hey what u up 5 op."

I rest my case.

Best wishes, Crestview High, for your efforts to bridge this communication gap.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EDITOR’S DESK: Kudos to Bulldogs battling toxic text-speak