DESTIN — In partnership with Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals & Real Estate, the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation continues a year-long celebration of its 20th anniversary with a performance by December '63, a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute band.

 The concert is 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11 in the Dugas Pavilion in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive W. in Destin.

 The five-member band is named for Frankie Valli’s 1975 hit "December 1963 (Oh What a Night)," which topped the U.S. music charts at No. 3 in 1975.

December ’63 celebrates the charismatic '60s crooner with the unmistakable falsetto voice with such memorable hits as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “My Eyes Adored You” and more.

Bring a chair, blanket and picnic or purchase dinner prepared onsite from food trucks and local restaurants serving dinner menu options. Bring your own beverages or purchase water, soft drinks, beer and wine at the event.

 Tickets for this benefit concert are $25 for adults or $20 for MKAF members. Children under 12 get in free.  Proceeds will benefit MKAF’s mission to support cultural events and education programs. VIP tables, seating six or eight, are available on a first-come, first-served basis by calling 650-2226.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: December ’63 to perform tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons

CRESTVIEW — Serious scrapbookers are applying new techniques and ideas to their projects after receiving inspiration from a noted scrapbooking expert.

Beatriz Farqunar-Guzman recently visited A Scrap in Time in Crestview to share tips and design suggestions with local scrapbook artists — and some who came from out of town and out of state for the event.

Find fun scrapbooking ideas at Amazing Grace, Designs by Beatriz>>

“She has followers from everywhere,” local scrapbooker Terry Maloney said. “People just love her stuff. She can just look at paper and she knows just what to put on it. It’s amazing.”

Farqunar-Guzman started her scrapbooking career upon the collapse of her international commercial business in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Maloney said.

While in Crestview, Farqunar-Guzman conducted scrapbooking workshops and produced her own designs.

“She designed 210 two-page layouts, which are for sale at A Scrap in Time,” Maloney said, adding that local scrapbookers at the workshops helped produce them as kits.

A Scrap in Time owner Lisa Byers said scrapbooking is a lot more than fancy paper prints, creative cutouts and photos.

“It’s a place to create lasting memories,” she said. “Scrapbooking warms the heart and gives us something to share for the memorable times and events in our lives.”

“Scrapbooking is a method for preserving personal and family history,” Maloney said.

Maloney said Farqunar-Guzman’s custom kits range between $20 and $25 each. The shop is at 151 Brock Ave. behind Dominoes Pizza.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Scrapbooking pro brings inspiration, designs to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The tiniest things can inspire writers. For Baker School alumna Meredith Majors, inspiration arrived via locket.

Meredith and her husband, Chris, were looking for a project for their production company, Savage Beast Films, when inspiration arose.

“One day, while heading to work in Los Angeles, I was sitting in traffic, twirling my locket/necklace around my finger," she said. "I stopped and looked at my locket, thinking about the idea that became ‘Lake Eerie.'

“When I got to work, I rushed to write down all of my thoughts and ideas on paper," Meredith said. "I spoke to my husband about it, and we decided to drop everything and make this happen.”

Meredith plays Kate Ryan, a widow who experiences unnatural phenomena when she moves to a lakeside home. Chris directed and acted in the film, which also features Lance Henriksen, of “Aliens” and “Terminator” fame; wrestler and actor Al Snow; Betsy Baker, from “The Evil Dead”; and Marilyn Ghigliotti, of “Clerks.”

Behind the scenes is Robert Kurtzman, Master Special FX supervisor, who worked on “Predator,” “Tremors" and “Scream," and Harry Manfredini, who has more than 150 composer credits, including “Friday the 13th” films, “House” and “The Hills Have Eyes II.”

The Majorses are negotiating the film's release date with distributors; the couple will know more in a few weeks.

They are grateful for backers who made that final step possible. Contributors donated more than $17,000 for post-production on the fundraising website Kickstarter.

"The best part about post-production is seeing the film in different stages, and how each stage makes the film better and better," Meredith said. "The worst part is trying to be patient, because it takes time. The challenge of film-making is working with multiple artists, and schedules.

"It feels like a miracle when it is completed, because so many ideas and egos are involved with the process."  

HAUNTED HOUSE

In the case of Savage Beast Films' "Lake Eerie," art imitates life in some ways, according to Meredith Majors, the film's star, writer and producer. 

Her husband's family owns Lake House, the 1918 LaSalle, Mich., home where much of the movie's action takes place. Something seemed strange about the place, so the couple asked experts to investigate.   

 “Prior to shooting 'Lake Eerie,' we had three groups of paranormal researchers investigate the house; and they caught EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), some photos and video of a 'shadow figure,' sudden temperature changes, and other unexplained occurrences," Meredith said.

“While shooting 'Lake Eerie,' some of the crew were skeptical of the house being haunted," she said. "However, one night some crew were in a room with no windows open, and the closet door slowly creaked opened and then slammed shut on its own. Our script supervisor ran down the stairs screaming.”

WHAT'S NEXT

Savage Beast Films is in preproduction on its next film, “Echo of Evil.” Meredith and Chris Majors have been talking about a supporting role with Robert Englund, who played villain Freddy Krueger in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise. "There’s exciting stuff coming," Meredith Majors said, “but we do more than just the horror genre."

ONLINE

•http://lakeeeriemovie.wix.com/lakeeerie

•www.facebook.com/LakeEerieMovie

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker alumna's film comes closer to worldwide release

Trains have come a long way from the Old West days.

While I was in California, I had a grand adventure taking the Amtrak Surfliner from Anaheim to San Diego. It was roomy, and the padded seats were a nice width.

The regular car, which I rode in, had large windows so you could see along the coastline. There is a business class, which looks like a mobile office; it has tables upon which to work, free WiFi and better lighting, along with complimentary snacks. The food car had nice tables to relax around; coffee, tea and other beverages; and sandwiches, salads and snacks.

I think it took about 30 minutes longer to take the train than to drive, but it was much more enjoyable.

Once we got to San Diego, Jim, my husband, and I went to Tuna Harbor Park to see the aircraft carrier, USS Midway in the San Diego bay, along with the Bob Hope Memorial. Also in the park is the 25-foot "Unconditional Surrender" statue. (That's the World War II sailor kissing the nurse at the end of the war.)

We then went to Seaport Village, of which I had fond memories — but alas, no longer. We were there about 75 minutes and it cost $16 to get out of the parking lot; no attendant, just a credit card machine. I used to love the old carousel and the charm, but nothing is worth that amount of money to park.  Shame on the city of San Diego for taking advantage of tourists!

On a positive note, California excels at Mexican food. We ate several times at Fonda Don Chon, which was always extremely busy. Some of the best Mexican food I have ever tasted. They had a wonderful buffet at lunch with all-you-can-eat guacamole that was scrumptious. I told the owner he would make a killing here — the food was that outstanding.

Do you have any favorite restaurants? What is your favorite type of food? Share your thoughts about favorite local dishes, and see photos from Janice's trip, at www.crestviewbulletin.com/lifestyle.

Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her brother, Robb; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

Email listings of upcoming events to NorthOkaloosaHappenings@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAPPENINGS: More adventures from California