lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

World Blood Donor Day celebration this weekend

Written by archive on June 13, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

PENSACOLA —World Blood Donor Day is Saturday, June 14. It was created as a way of honoring blood donors and to say thank you to the loyal donors who save lives every single day.

OneBlood will be celebrating World Blood Donor Day during the entire weekend, June 13-16.

Donors who participate on those days will receive a free limited edition OneBlood baseball hat, a $10 eGift card and a free wellnes check when they donate at OneBlood donor center locations, including the Crestview Donor Center, 2400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite B, Crestview, phone 306-2455; and the Fort Walton Beach Donor Center, 405 NE Racetrack Road, Suite 104, Fort Walton Beach.

Visit the website to find the center closest to you. Appointments are honored and walk-ins are welcome. Photo I.D. is required.

Donating blood is one of the most powerful actions any human can take, as it literally saves lives. One in three of us will need a blood transfusion at some time. While 39 percent of people are eligible to donate blood, only 5 percent do. Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: World Blood Donor Day celebration this weekend

Crestview actor cast as Arthur, King of the Britons, in 'Spamalot'

Written by archive on June 12, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Dominick "Nick" Trolian must know several things in his role as Arthur, King of the Britons, for Northwest Florida State College's summer musical, "Spamalot."

Namely:

•How to tell if a woman is a witch

•How to deal with taunting Frenchmen

•The airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow

•Plus page after page of rollicking dialogue from one of the stage’s funniest musical comedies.

But, as Arthur tells Sir Bedevere, "you have to know these things when you're a king, you know."

Trolian, a Crestview resident who played Scrooge in View From the Stage's "A Christmas Carol," joins a cast of 21 regional thespians for the musical "lovingly ripped off from the motion picture 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail," as the subtitle states.

To accede the throne, Arthur explains, "the Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur."

But strange women lying in ponds distributing swords don't also distribute plum musical comedy parts. For that, Trolian had to audition.

The role he wanted

"I definitely wanted the part of King Arthur," he said. "I don't think there was any other role I was suited for. There's a lot of dancing in the show and I'm not a particularly good dancer.

"I'm probably the only role in the show that doesn't have to dance a lot."

While Trolian said he has seen the classic 1975 Monty Python film, it wasn't until he heard Northwest Florida State would produce Eric Idle’s stage adaptation that he viewed "Spamalot" performance videos on YouTube.

Having never seen Tim Curry or his replacements in the role, "I am definitely doing my own King Arthur," Trolian said. "I'm really excited because I love to do comedy and I don't get to do it very often."

The July 16-19 run of "Spamalot" marks Trolian's second appearance on the Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center stage, following last summer's "Les Misérables."

An actor-by-night

A software engineer at Eglin Air Force Base by day, in true community theatre tradition, the accomplished actor-by-night is in rehearsals four evenings a week.

Luckily, Trolian says, his wife, Cathy, and three daughters support his love of theatre, which includes being on the View From the Stage board of directors.

Trolian's enthusiasm for "Spamalot" increases as he sees scenes being blocked for the first time. His favorite is "I'm All Alone," which Arthur sings with his servant, Patsy.

"I'm really excited to see how the scenery's going to look and how all that stagecraft takes place," Trolian said. Scenery designer "Clint Mahlie does a fantastic job."

"I really enjoy being part of the ensemble," he said. "It's a very professional operation … even though it's predominantly a college production. It's high quality all the way through."

Email News Bulletin Staff Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview actor cast as Arthur, King of the Britons, in 'Spamalot'

Health department seeks anyone in contact with rabid raccoon

Written by archive on June 12, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) is issuing a public health advisory in an effort to locate the person or persons who may have recently come in contact with a potentially rabid raccoon in the Fort Walton Beach area.

On the morning of Wednesday, June 11, an employee of the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in Fort Walton Beach found a deceased raccoon in a bucket full of water. The small raccoon had been wrapped in a towel and was most likely thrown over the fence after PAWS closed on Tuesday evening.

If you are the individual who found or cared for this animal, it is important that you undergo an assessment to determine your risk for exposure to rabies. Please contact your primary care provider or DOH-Okaloosa at (850) 833-9240, ext. 2139 to be assessed.

Okaloosa health officials urge residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure. In Florida, raccoons, bats and foxes, and unvaccinated cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets.

“Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. It is important not to handle wild animals, stay away from animals acting abnormally, and keep pets vaccinated against rabies,” said Karen Chapman, MD, MPH, Director of DOH-Okaloosa.

Rabies is transmitted through exposure to the saliva and nervous tissue from a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. DOH-Okaloosa works with Okaloosa County Animal Services in responding to incidents of animal bites, tests animals for rabies through the Department of Health state laboratory, and quarantines animals as necessary and provides consultation on treatment after potential exposure to rabies.

The following are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:

· Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.

· Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Okaloosa County Animal Services at (850) 244-0196.

· Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray domestic animals from your neighborhood. To remove wild animals, call the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge at (850) 650-1880.

· Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

· Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.

· Do not handle or offer food to wild animals. Do not unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.

· Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.

· Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Health department seeks anyone in contact with rabid raccoon

PRACTICAL MONEY SKILLS: Financial advice for new fathers

Written by archive on June 12, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Each year when Father's Day rolls around, I'm reminded that I wouldn't trade the experience of raising my two kids for the world. But when I think back to how naïve my wife and I once were about the costs of raising children, I can't help wishing we'd been better prepared.

If you're a new dad, or about to become one, you'd better sit down. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a typical middle-income family can expect to spend over $241,000 to raise a newborn child until age 18 – and that doesn't even include prenatal care or college costs.

Right now, you're probably more worried about getting enough sleep than funding your retirement. But at some point, you'll need to plot out a financial roadmap to ensure your family's future financial security. As one dad to another, here are a few strategies I've learned that can help:

Start saving ASAP. It's hard to save for the future when your present expenses are so daunting, but it's important to start making regular contributions to several savings vehicles, even if only a few dollars at a time:

Establish an emergency fund with enough cash to cover at least six months of living expenses. Start small by having $25 or $50 a month deducted from your paycheck and automatically deposited into a separate savings account.

Even if retirement is decades away, the sooner you start saving and compounding your interest, the faster your savings will grow. If your employer offers 401(k) matching contributions, contribute at least enough to take full advantage of the match.

Once those two accounts are well established, open a 529 Qualified State Tuition Plan to start saving for your children's education.

If funding these accounts seems impossible, look for a few luxuries you could cut from your budget for six months – lattes, eating out, premium cable, etc. After six months, evaluate whether they were actual "needs" or simply "wants" you can live without.

Get insured. If your family depends on your income, you must be prepared for life's unexpected events, whether an accident, illness, unemployment or death. Get adequate coverage for:

Health insurance. Everyone needs medical insurance, no matter how young or healthy.

Homeowner/renter's insurance. Don't let theft, fire or another catastrophe leave your family without a home or possessions. To reduce premiums, consider choosing a higher deductible.

Life insurance. You'll probably want coverage worth at least five to 10 times your annual pay – more, if you want to cover college costs. And don't forget to insure your spouse's life so you'll be protected as well.

Disability insurance. Millions of Americans suffer disabilities serious enough to miss work for months or years, yet many forego disability insurance, potentially leaving them without an income after a serious accident or illness. Ask about your employer's sick leave and short-term disability benefits and if long-term disability is offered, consider buying it.

Car insurance. Almost every state requires insurance if you own or drive a car, and for good reason: It protects you financially should you cause an accident or be hit by an uninsured driver. Make sure you have sufficient liability coverage to protect your net worth and income – it only takes one serious accident to wipe out your savings.

And finally, spend responsibly. If you buy things you don't really need or can't afford, you'll just end up having to work longer hours to pay for them – time you could have spent watching your kids growing up.

Jason Alderman directs Visa's financial education programs.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: PRACTICAL MONEY SKILLS: Financial advice for new fathers

Zumba fundraiser to benefit Children's Miracle Network

Written by archive on June 12, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Zumba enthusiasts, or those who want to try out the aerobic fitness program, can attend Dancing for Babies, a Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser, on Friday.

Three Zumba-certified instructors will lead the event and Wal-Mart employees have volunteered to watch children while parents exercise at Riverside Elementary School

Attendees have the chance to win door prizes, including gift baskets, from the store, which is sponsoring the event. Water and fresh fruit will be available for donations.

All Dancing for Babies proceeds will benefit Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Samantha Rudolph, a co-manager of the Crestview Wal-Mart, said.

It's just one way the store is committed to being involved with the community, Rudolph said.

“We are hoping this will be the first of many” she said.

In addition, the store plans to have a Kitty Carnival featuring children’s activities on June 28 outside the store’s garden center.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Dancing for Babies fundraiser

WHEN: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Riverside Elementary School, 3400 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview

COST:$5 donation for participation

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zumba fundraiser to benefit Children's Miracle Network

FINANCIAL FOCUS: If rates rise, here's what to do with bonds

Written by archive on June 12, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Interest rates are at historic lows, but they will eventually rise. If you invest in fixed-income vehicles, such as bonds, what might higher rates mean for you?

As is almost always the case in the investment world, there’s no simple answer.

First, it’s important to distinguish between short-term and long-term interest rates. The Federal Reserve is determined to keep short-term rates low until unemployment improves; in the meantime, longer-term rates may well rise.

Depending on your situation, a rise in long-term rates can present opportunity and concern.

Rising rates can mean greater income if you invest in newly issued bonds. However, if you already own longer-term bonds, and rates rise, your bonds' value will fall. That’s because other investors won’t want to pay full price for your bonds when they can get new ones at higher rates.

Even if your long-term bonds' value falls, isn’t it worthwhile to hold on to them? As long as your bond doesn’t default — and if the bond is considered “investment grade,” default is unlikely — you will get a steady source of income and you’ll receive your bond's full value back at maturity.

Aren’t these valuable benefits?

They are indeed — but they may be more relevant for short-term bonds. Longer-term bonds — those of 10-year duration or longer — are more subject to inflation risk than shorter-term bonds. We’ve experienced low inflation for a number of years, but, over time, even mild inflation can add up. When this happens, and you own a long-term bond whose rate doesn’t change, you could face a potential loss of purchasing power. One of the reasons that long-term bonds pay higher interest rates than short-term bonds is because issuers of longer-term instruments are rewarding you for taking on this additional inflation risk.

Consequently, simply holding on to long-term bonds — especially very long-term ones, such as those that mature in 30 years — may not be the best strategy. If you review your fixed-income holdings and find that they skew strongly toward longer-term bonds, you may want to consider reducing your exposure in this area.

If you did sell some of these bonds, you could use the proceeds to help build a “bond ladder” — which may be one of the best ways to invest in bonds.

To create this ladder, invest in bonds of varying maturities. When market rates are low, you’ll still have your longer-term bonds earning higher interest rates, thereby paying you more income. And when market rates rise, you can reinvest your maturing short-term bonds at the higher rates. You must evaluate whether the bonds held within the bond ladder are consistent with your investment objectives, risk tolerance and financial circumstances.

If you own bonds, be aware of current interest rates — and where they may be headed. By keeping yourself informed and choosing the right strategies, you can benefit from owning bonds and other fixed-income vehicles in all interest-rate environments.

Before investing in bonds, understand the risks involved, including credit risk and market risk. Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk; when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds can decrease, and the investor can lose principal value if the investment is sold prior to maturity.

Joe Faulk is a financial adviser in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FINANCIAL FOCUS: If rates rise, here's what to do with bonds

Food bank to provide free meals for Okaloosa children

Written by archive on June 12, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — For the 12th consecutive summer, Bay Area Food Bank is partnering with Northwest Florida organizations to provide free meals to children through the Summer Food Service Program.

Okaloosa sites and times are as follows:

•Mt Zion AME Church: lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, June 16 to July 15 except for July 4, 502 McDonald St., Crestview. Details: Rosetta German, 850-398-6985.

•Hope House: breakfast 9-9:30 a.m. and lunch 12-1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, to be determined, except July 4, 285 Duggan Ave., Crestview. Details: Lee Brandy, 682-2374.

The program, supported by the United States Department of Agriculture, is designed to fill the nutrition gap left when children are out of school during the summer and lack access to free or reduced-price meals.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Food bank to provide free meals for Okaloosa children

LDS announces seminary graduates, award recipients

Written by archive on June 12, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

NICEVILLE — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Fort Walton Beach Stake is celebrating its Early Morning Seminary graduates.

Graduates from Crestview are Jeffrey Linares, Emily Parker, Kailyn Wirt, Michael Balatimore, Brittany Matthews and Keidra Perdue. Graduate Anne Jones is from DeFuniak Springs. Graduates from Fort Walton Beach are Emily Christopherson, Noah McSheehy, Skyler McSheehy, and Christian Woolsey. Graduates from Niceville are Molly Clifton, Madison Grigg, Andrew Moore and David Russell. Graduate Justice Morgan is from Olive Branch.

Students still finishing the program — and awarded Certificates of Achievement for completing certain portions — are Keidra Perdue, Tiffany Lawson, Dixie Mobley and Kortnie Perkins, Crestview; and Alexandra Bill, Joseph Brill, Samuel Brill and Ammilia Dubbs, Fort Walton Beach.

Students from eight congregations, their teachers, church leaders and hundreds of family members and friends gathered June 15 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Niceville chapel.

Keidre Perdue of Crestview sang, “I Am A Child of God,” accompanied by Ingrid Roberts; Emily Christopherson of Fort Walton Beach sang, “How Great Thou Art” a cappella. Chapman Tew accompanied on the piano while Emily Parker conducted the music.

Early Morning Seminary consists of a daily scripture study class held at 5:45 a.m. before high school begins. Students study each topic for a year, starting with the Old Testament, then the New Testament, the Book of Mormon and Church History.

Through games and various drills, students master 100 scriptures: 25 from each discipline. These classes provide a spiritual and social climate to prepare young people for effective service and missions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LDS announces seminary graduates, award recipients

Near-centenarian advises being kind, living an authentic life

Written by archive on June 11, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Vera Harold Owen, who turns 100 years old on Saturday, recalls a childhood of chasing boll weevils and picking cotton on a Southern Georgia family farm.

Before she reaches the milestone, she shared her life story — and some life lessons — while celebrating with friends at the Crestview Rehabilitation Center.

Growing up

Being the second of six children, with two younger sisters and three brothers, she said she was left to take care of the house and family while her mother often traveled as a midwife and her father worked in the field.

Owen and her late husband, Sam, grew up in the same neighborhood and married at 18 and 25, respectively, before buying a farm in the deep woods of Ashburn, Ga., and having two children.

Her upbringing and farm life prepared her for plenty of work to come.

Work ethic

“Hard work might hurt you, but it sure won’t kill you,” Owen said, referring to long hours spent in fields of cotton, corn and livestock when she wasn’t serving as the manager of a men’s dress-pant factory.

While controversy loomed as needles worked and bobbins spun, Owen said she was one of the few willing to train black women in the factory. Skin color didn't faze her; after all, they needed the work as much as anyone else, she said.

“We was just in a small town, and you know that town just prospered because everybody in town who wanted a job could go get a job … it was a good time,” she said.

She recalled being happy that some of the women remembered her as the one who taught them how to sew when she returned to the factory town years ago.

“I would be so proud that I had done something for somebody,” she said.

'Don't brag'

In addition to investing in others, Owen said her best advice is to be true to oneself; to live a good life.

What does that mean to Owen?

“Don’t live falsely. Live like you are. Live your character just like your character is … Don’t brag about nothing. Don’t make people think you’re what you’re not. Be what you want to be.

“To be what you want to be, be truthful, be loving and kind. Be kind to everybody.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Near-centenarian advises being kind, living an authentic life

Crestview family expecting ‘mono-mono’ twins

Written by archive on June 11, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Brandon and Lyndsey Brooks are not only expecting twins; they're expecting monoamniotic twins, also called mono-mono twins.

The girls — named Savannah Lynn and Hannah Kathleen — share the same amniotic sac and placenta. In common twin pregnancies, the unborn children have separate amniotic sacs.

Mono-mono twins occur in just one of 10,000 pregnancies, which can have complications, according to the Journal of Perinatology.

Entangled or compressed umbilical cords and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, in which one twin receives most of the nourishment, leaving the other undernourished, are among the concerns.

But Lyndsey, at 25 weeks, is under the watchful eye of doctors and specialists at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

“The girls are doing phenomenal right now, but that can change in an instant,” she said.

The staff regularly monitors the mother and children to ensure their safety throughout the pregnancy.

Unexpected

The pregnancy surprised the couple when they found out in March.

“Leave it up to Lyndsey and I; we are overachievers,” Brandon said.

“I was actually about to get my tubes tied, but I wouldn’t change a thing in the world,” Lyndsey said.

Savannah Lynn and Hannah Kathleen will join the couple's 8-year-old daughter, Amelia, and their 5-year-old son, Logan.

“Logan and I are about to be outnumbered," Brandon said.

The twins will be delivered by Caesarean section at 32 weeks, pending a doctor’s approval.

Raising funds

Lyndsey’s mother, Victoria Teems, is already thinking about the twins' fashion.

“I am beyond stoked,” she said. “I can’t wait to dress them up.”

In the meantime, she's considering the costs of prolonged hospital visits.

Teems is collecting donations via Gofundme.com to help cover hospital and travel expenses. When he is not working, Brandon travels from Crestview to Pensacola to spend time with Lyndsey.

“This isn’t for them to spend on fun and games,” Teems said. “It’s going to help with utility bills, medical costs and gas.”

Teems said she appreciates any help, should residents want to contribute at http://www.gofundme.com/9dh5a0.

“If they donate, then we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” she said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview family expecting ‘mono-mono’ twins

850.682.6524