The Cox Charity Auction to benefit Covenant Hospice runs April 12 through May 10. The event, formerly the Cox Cablethon, will feature four week-long auctions hosted at www.CoxCharityAuction.com. Each auction will feature a variety of packages starting at 40 percent of retail value.

“We have several getaways in this year’s auction, and those are particularly popular with our bidders, no matter where they live," Rachel Mayew, development and communications manager with Covenant Hospice, said.

"Whether it’s a fun weekend in New Orleans, a relaxing beachfront hotel stay, a couple’s getaway at the Beau Rivage or a family vacation to Busch Gardens, there is the opportunity to take a memorable trip at a fraction of the retail value.”=

Additional auction items include paddleboard rentals, spa and massage services, kiteboarding lessons, gym memberships, golf outings, original artwork, diamond jewelry, tickets to performing arts events and concerts, and gift certificates to local and national chain restaurants.

Each auction will feature different items available for bidding. The auction schedule is as follows:

•Auction One, April 12-19

•Auction Two, April 19-26

•Auction Three, April 26 through May 3

•Auction Four, May 3-10.

Event organizers need additional items for the auction. Contact Mayew, 428-0605 or rachel.mayew@covenanthospice.org, to donate something.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cox Charity Auction kicks off Saturday

NICEVILLE — The 3rd Annual Women on Wellness Symposium is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11 at Northwest Florida State College's Niceville campus.

A $20 registration includes breakfast, lunch, presentations and a complimentary Healthy to You membership. Attendees can win door prizes.

Call 729-6880 or see womenonwellness.org to register.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women's wellness is the focus of April 11 symposium

Planning for the end of life isn't an easy conversation, but Covenant Hospice staffers want to clarify the process.

The nonprofit will offer free hands-on advance care planning workshops as follows:

•2 p.m. April 10, Sterling House, 1551 Merchants Way, Bluewater Bay.

•1:30 p.m. April 16, The Meridian at Westwood, 1001 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach.

•2:30 p.m. April 23, Chautauqua Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 785 S. 2nd St., DeFuniak Springs.

Attorneys, financial planners, healthcare professionals and other area experts will be available.

National Healthcare Decisions Day, observed April 16, is an initiative to provide healthcare decision-making information at no charge.

Reservations are required. Call 729-1800 to RSVP.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Covenant Hospice offers advance care planning workshops this month

FORT WALTON BEACH — Four Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

On March 31,  Garniers Park, Fort Walton Beach; Gulf Islands National Seashore and Marler Park, Okaloosa Island; Clement E. Taylor Park, Destin failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards.

Enteric bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

Call 689-7859 or 833-9247 for more information. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Four Okaloosa parks receive advisories for hazardous water

No Okaloosa County parks are listed as having potentially hazardous bathing water this week, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated March 26.

The parks all passed water quality tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards.

Enteric bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

Call689-7859 or 833-9247 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local parks pass water quality tests