lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

FINANCIAL FOCUS: 'Rules of the road' for investors

Written by archive on May 29, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

As an investor, you may sometime wonder what on earth is going on in the financial world. One day, the stock market is down 200 points; the next day, it's up 300. One day, a scandal rocks a company; the next day, another firm declares a poor earnings report.

There's no smooth route to follow, but you can help smooth out the journey by observing these "rules of the road":

• Create a plan. You can waste time, effort and money through haphazard investing. Create a plan that defines your long-term goals and establishes a strategy to achieve them, considering your individual tolerance for risk and your time horizon.

• Take action. The best plan is useless unless implemented. Once you've set a course of action, follow through. Don't wait for "time to be right" before you invest; you can always find excuses to delay. The best time to start is right now.

• Stay invested. When the market is "hot," it's easy for people to keep investing. It takes far more courage to continue investing during a long bear market. And yet, it's essential to stay invested, through good times and bad. Ultimately, the long-term performance of the investments you have chosen will have far more impact on your portfolio's success than the daily, inevitable price fluctuations.

• Look for quality. Persistence in investing, by itself, isn't enough to help you achieve long-term goals. You also need to invest in quality. Look for stocks of companies with solid track records, strong management teams, competitive products and well-defined business plans. You'll experience ups and downs even in quality stocks, but if you hold them over time, you'll greatly increase your prospects for success.

• Diversify your holdings. During any given market environment, some investments will do well while others will not. You could try to pick the winners, but that's almost impossible to do consistently. You'll be much better off diversifying your dollars among a range of high-quality stocks, bonds, mutual funds, government securities and other vehicles. By staying diversified, you'll help cushion yourself against downturns affecting just one type of investment, and you'll multiply opportunities of benefiting from assets performing well.

• Review your plan. Annually review investment plans and strategies. Your life will evolve — new job, new house, new children, etc. — and you may need to adjust plans to accommodate these changes. If some of your investments no longer suit your needs, find other opportunities. A qualified financial professional can help evaluate your situation and make recommendations on rebalancing your portfolio.

There's nothing magic, or complex, about these "rules for the road."

However, to follow these guidelines, you'll need patience and perseverance. If you have these traits, you're well prepared for a fulfilling investment journey.

Joe Faulk is a financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FINANCIAL FOCUS: 'Rules of the road' for investors

Mental Health Presentation to be given at Crestview Library

Written by archive on May 28, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Learn about achieving balance while avoiding or changing destructive behaviors that lead to chronic diseases June 3 at 10:30 a.m., at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Ginny Barr, the Mental Health Association of Okaloosa/Walton Counties' executive director, will discuss wellness' impact on the mind and body, building on life experiences and positive change.

Coffee and cookies will be served at 10 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mental Health Presentation to be given at Crestview Library

NWF State dental students offer free dental X-rays

Written by archive on May 28, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Northwest Florida State College dental assisting students will offer free dental X-rays May 29 through June 27.

Appointments are available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Cal 729-6480 to schedule an appointment.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWF State dental students offer free dental X-rays

Author seeks Scriptural solutions to sexuality, abortion, other issues

Written by archive on May 27, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

The number of societal issues facing today's world is staggering. With no clear-cut answers, conflicting viewpoints tend to destroy any attempt to create wellbeing for the human race.

One author now says the answer for mankind's wellbeing and future lies in studying the past.

R.C. Besteder's Adam is a new look at the Adam of the Bible and a complete analysis of the first human on Earth. Exploring Adam's story and relating it to modern times, Besteder looks to clear up confusion about the man who fathered the human race.

"Today there is mass confusion worldwide on a host of issues that are destroying society and threatening the peace of our world,” Besteder said. “We need to know we are one in Adam.”

The knowledge that everyone descends from Adam gives insight on issues such as family, spirituality, sexuality, racism, abortion, divorce and morals. Besteder believes the human race needs to look back to their origins in order to fix problems in today’s society.

Adam encourages readers to look beyond racism, stamp out violence and pay special attention to family, according to a spokesperson. It helps readers seek the truth and build a more harmonious future for mankind.

"If we want to understand ourselves and what we're to be about, we've got to go back to the beginning when it all started," Besteder said.

Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Westbow online bookstore

R.C. Besteder has studied the Bible for decades and has read it through more than thirty times. He also has a passion for history and has a degree in history earned while preparing for Christian ministry. His passion for understanding Adam has led to the constant study of mankind. Besteder has served as an Air Force Chaplain for 21 years and a civilian pastor more than 21 years, working to help others understand the Bible.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Author seeks Scriptural solutions to sexuality, abortion, other issues

TRY THIS: Make fruitful container gardens

Written by archive on May 27, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Picture yourself harvesting a few fresh strawberries for your cereal in the morning or perhaps picking a few apples from your own backyard tree to cook up into a pie. It is possible, even if you garden on a balcony or small lot. And even if you have plenty of space, you will still appreciate the fun and convenience of reaching out the backdoor and harvesting some homegrown fruit.

Strawberries are excellent container plants. Grow everbearing or day neutral varieties, so you will be harvesting strawberries throughout the growing season. Reduce your workload and increase success with a self-watering hanging basket (gardeners.com). Or dress things up a bit more with a decorative container. The haystack hanging baskets have the beauty of the coco fiber lined planters, but require half the watering. The AquaSav™ liner is a combination of coir and recycled plastic designed to conserve moisture. This means better results with less watering.

But don’t stop there. Add some dwarf fruit trees to your patio plantings. A dwarf apple, peach or pear will provide beautiful spring flowers, nice foliage for the summer and fruit for you to enjoy. Select self-fertile varieties, those that only require one plant to produce fruit, if space is limited. Grow your dwarf trees in large weather-proof pots with drainage. Those in cold climates will need to provide some winter protection, but the first harvest will make that extra bit of work well worth the effort.

Or try your green thumb at growing lemons, limes and other citrus in a container. The fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves are a beautiful prelude to the tasty fruit. Even cold weather gardeners can put their green thumb to the test by growing a Meyer lemon, Kaffir lime or other citrus in a container. Just move the potted plant indoors for the winter and back outdoors next season once the danger of frost has passed.

And don’t forget the blueberries that are high in antioxidants and flavor. These nutritious beauties require moist well-drained acidic soil. Something most gardeners do not have. This makes growing them in containers, where you control the soil, a good option. Blueberries provide seasonal interest with their nodding white bell-shaped flowers in spring, colorful fruit in summer and yellow, orange or red color in fall. Though only one plant is needed to bear fruit, keep in mind that your harvest will more than double if you grow two.

So survey your patio, deck, balcony or garden for space to add a container or two of fruiting plants that are sure to add beauty and flavor to your garden and meals this season.

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years' horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardeningand the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD seriesand the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Bloomsmagazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: TRY THIS: Make fruitful container gardens

Corporate sponsorships, underwriters sought for Covenant Hospice fundraiser

Written by archive on May 27, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Thrive Music Fest, benefiting Covenant Hospice, will feature live music on two outdoor stages from 11 a.m. to midnight June 21 at KC’s Sandbar and Grille, 190 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.

Organizers seek artists interested in performing at the charity event, and volunteers for the planning committee and event day. Preference will be given to artists performing original rock music.

Corporate sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are available, ranging from $250 to $2,500. Participating organizations will receive a variety of benefits including promotional recognition, complimentary admission and preferred seating at the event.

Call Jenni Perkins or Rachel Mayew, 729-1800, and jenni.perkins@covenanthospice.org or rachel.mayew@covenanthospice.org.

Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization that provides comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones with life-limiting illnesses.

Visit www.covenanthospice.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Corporate sponsorships, underwriters sought for Covenant Hospice fundraiser

Miss Walker crowned May 17

Written by archive on May 27, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Seventeen princesses graced the stage with poise during Walker Elementary School's annual beauty pageant on Saturday.

The following students were crowned:

• Miss Walker: Meryha Cahill

• 1st Alternate: Kaylah Sears

• 2nd Alternate and Photogenic: Caitlyn Dill

Petite Miss Walker: Cadance Simmons

• 1st Alternate: Tylee Johnson

• 2nd Alternate: Bayleigh Meadows

• Photogenic: Asline Heringer

The pageant's proceeds will be used to support the fund for an electronic sign for the school.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Miss Walker crowned May 17

All Okaloosa parks pass Florida Department of Health water testing

Written by archive on May 26, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

All Okaloosa County parks passed water testing, with six parks receiving moderate quality ratings, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Tests are 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: All Okaloosa parks pass Florida Department of Health water testing

FEMA, Bridgeway Center partner for behavioral health support

Written by archive on May 26, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

The Florida Department of Children and Families has selected Bridgeway Center Inc. to provide behavioral health support to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Okaloosa County.

Bridgeway Center is providing paraprofessional behavioral health staff for the DRC and will continue to assist Okaloosa residents adversely affected by the recent flood as long as the DRC remain open.

The DRC — in the Senior Service Center, 205 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview — is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FEMA, Bridgeway Center partner for behavioral health support

'Tame' modern Christian men encouraged to play 'Barbarian Games'

Written by archive on May 25, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Archery, tomahawk throwing, blow darts, a kettle bell toss and a tug-of-war are on this weekend's agenda for Lifepoint Church men.

This Saturday, men are encouraged to leave their inhibitions behind and participate in the 4th Annual Barbarian Games, church deacon Michael Smith, the event organizer, said.

The outdoors event allows men to compete in games and enjoy fellowship, he said. Two popular activities are a tug-of-war and the caber toss, in which participants attempt to toss a large wooden log end over end.

Many participants wear kilts during the event.

"It's amazing how many of the guys will go out and get a kilt on their own," Smith said. Although attendees are encouraged to wear kilts, they can wear regular outdoor attire.

In addition to eating roasted-pig cooked over an open fire, men are encouraged to bring minimal camping equipment, when sleeping outdoors.

The activities will conclude with faith-based messages from Smith, the Rev. Mark English and guest speaker Kevin Mucher, a chaplain from the 6th U.S. Army Ranger Training Battalion on Eglin Air Force Base.

Attendees will meet at Lifepoint's parking lot early Saturday morning and return on Sunday morning. The outdoor event will take place at an undisclosed, in-county private property.

So, what's the purpose behind the games?

Well, the modern Christian man is very "tame" compared to biblical figures, Smith said.

"The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within," a book by Christian author Erwin Raphael McManus, inspired The Barbarian Games.

Its underlying message?

"We are men; we should be sincere about who we are," Smith said. "The men in the Bible were brave and courageous."

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Barbarian Games

WHEN: Saturday through Sunday; meet 8 a.m. at Lifepoint Church, 400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, and leave 9 a.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Attendees will travel to undisclosed, in-county private property

COST: $40 per person

CONTACT: 682-3518.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Tame' modern Christian men encouraged to play 'Barbarian Games'

850.682.6524