lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

County Arts Alliance hosting Spring Fest May 17 in Destin

Written by archive on May 10, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

DESTIN — Okaloosa Arts Alliance invites you to the 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Spring Fest on May 17 at HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd., Destin.

The free family event is full of kids' activities, great vendors, live entertainment, a silent auction, and a display of 306 poster contest entries by Okaloosa children. Winners will be announced at the event.

For more information go to the Okaloosa Arts webpage, Okaloosa Arts Alliance invites you to the 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Spring Fest on May 17 at HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd., Destin. The free family event is full of kids' activities, great vendors, live entertainment, a silent auction, and a display of 306 poster contest entries by Okaloosa children. Winners will be announced at the event. For more information go to the Okaloosa Arts webpage or email Amy, amybaty1@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: County Arts Alliance hosting Spring Fest May 17 in Destin

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Update beneficiary designations, avoid problems

Written by archive on May 9, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

You might not enjoy thinking about estate plans, but such planning is necessary to ensure your assets go where you want them to go.

It's important to regularly review your plans with your tax, legal and financial professionals.

You might be surprised by how many financial assets and legal documents have beneficiary designations tied to them. If you have an IRA, a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, a life insurance policy, an annuity, a transfer-on-death (TOD) arrangement, or any of a variety of other assets or accounts, you almost certainly named a beneficiary. This designation offers a simple, direct and efficient way to transfer assets to loved ones.

As time goes by, you may experience many life changes — and that's when beneficiary designations may need to follow. If you are like many people, you might forget to update these designations after a marriage, divorce or other change in your family situation. And because the beneficiary designation is a legally binding document, the asset will go to the person you once named as a beneficiary, regardless of your current relationship status.

It takes little effort to review your accounts and legal arrangements to ensure beneficiary designations are current — and if they aren’t, it’s pretty easy to change them. For some financial accounts, you may be able to update the beneficiary designations online. Just plan on reviewing your beneficiary designations regularly, but especially when you experience a life change.

In addition, ensure your beneficiaries know they will eventually receive your 401(k), IRA, life insurance proceeds or other assets that require a beneficiary designation. This knowledge may help them as they plan and maintain their own financial and investment strategies.

Although it’s important to update your beneficiary designations and communicate your actions, you need to tend to other areas of your estate planning, such as providing care for minor children or dependents, deciding whom you want to receive items that don't carry a beneficiary designation, naming someone to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, and specifying the control you wish beneficiaries to have over their inheritance, among other considerations.

Everyone’s situation is different, so consult with your legal adviser to determine the level of estate planning you require.

Joe Faulk is a financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FINANCIAL FOCUS: Update beneficiary designations, avoid problems

Catholic Charities plans include prosperity, immigration initiatives

Written by archive on May 8, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida's new comprehensive plan includes focusing on Circles, a prosperity initiative; Immigration & Refugee Services; Pregnancy and Adoption; and Emergency Assistance.

The plan is designed to:

•Reach more people in remote and rural areas.

•Deliver programs across the Panhandle in a streamlined, client-friendly manner.

•Assure that program staffers in connection with key local community partners can customize service by program and area.

•Create a career progression path for Catholic Charities' staff.

Catholic Charities has job openings related to the new alignment. Click here for a list of available jobs and requirements.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Catholic Charities plans include prosperity, immigration initiatives

Okaloosa health department lifts health advisories for recreational waterways impacted by sewage

Written by archive on May 8, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has lifted all health advisories for recreational waterways impacted by nearby sewage spills caused by recent flooding. Testing has confirmed that the water quality has returned to normal levels. The following areas are cleared of advisories as of May 9:

•Santa Rosa Sound from the Okaloosa County line to the mouth of Choctawhatchee Bay, including areas east of Mary Esther Cutoff in Mary Esther through Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island

•The waters of Choctawhatchee Bay, along the coast of Fort Walton Beach, from the mouth of Santa Rosa Sound to Garnier Bayou

•The waters of Choctawhatchee Bay in the area at the intersection of Indian Trial and Main Street in Destin

•Tom’s Bayou in Valparaiso

Please note, advisories are still in place for two sites in the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program, Garniers Park in Fort Walton Beach and Wayside Park of Okaloosa Island, due to elevated levels of enterococci.

If you have questions, contact DOteh department at 850-833-9247 or 850-689-7859. You can also visit the website and click the “Healthy Beaches” link to be taken to a list of Okaloosa County’s Healthy Beaches sites and maps.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department lifts health advisories for recreational waterways impacted by sewage

Music festival aims to unite area Christians, spread faith

Written by archive on May 8, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Young adults' declining church attendance concerned Billie Carter. Maybe a Christian music festival would aid their spiritual journey, she thought.

Stephen Booe appreciated the New Beginnings Church mom's idea and helped organize Saturday's Rise and Unite Music Festival at Old Spanish Trail Park.

In addition to attracting the spiritually needy, it's an occasion for uniting Christians of all faiths and ages, he said.

"My hope is that we can bring them together, have them rub shoulders … and have them realize that we are all part of the same family," Booe said.

Ten musical groups will perform, at no charge, a range from southern gospel to Christian Jazz and Christian hip-hop, Booe said. The event concludes with a 6:30 p.m. performance from Christian rapper B-Shoc.

In addition, guest speakers and volunteers will answer questions about faith, and children's activities will include bounce houses and the opportunity to test cattle roping and steer riding skills, courtesy of Ropin' the Truth ministry.

Carter hopes that young people will absorb the message.

"We are trying to reach kids between the ages of 15 to 20," she said.

Admission is free, but event organizers plan to take collections with a love offering to cover each performer's expenses.

Food vendors and concessions will be available throughout the day. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Rise and Unite Festival

WHEN: Gates open at 10 a.m. Event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview

COST: Free

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Music festival aims to unite area Christians, spread faith

UMC leaders eye second Crestview location

Written by archive on May 7, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Niceville United Methodist Church leaders want to bring a second campus to Crestview.

Adding a North Ferdon Boulevard location would allow the church to boost outreach efforts and better accommodate church members living in North Okaloosa, they said.

Niceville UMC has an agreement with NBI Properties, which manages Northview Plaza,to facilitate in building a church on the plaza's south end, Executive Pastor Greg McKinnon said.

Among the 16,500-square-footage, the church would occupy the former units of Movies & More, Terri's Sports and Angel's Doggie Spa. The church will have additional space to the left of Pizza Hut, which is staying.

The church has not signed a lease agreement with NBI as of this writing, McKinnon said.

An NBI representative said other plaza tenants chose not to renew their lease agreements or already planned to relocate.

A five-year lease with renewable options would go into effect after remaining tenants have vacated, McKinnon said, adding that he expects an early 2015 opening after six months of renovations.

Growth of the St. Mark UMC campus on PJ Adams Parkway spurred church leaders' decision to add a third campus, he said. On average, the church has 600 in attendance on Sundays, he said.

The PJ Adams location is receiving a $1.25 million renovation to add more sanctuary seating, parking, classrooms and a children's playground.

"North Crestview is booming; we have a lot of members who already live in that area," McKinnon 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: UMC leaders eye second Crestview location

North Light Marina hosts June 7 red snapper tournament

Written by archive on May 7, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

NICEVILLE — The third annual 2014 North Light Red Snapper Challenge gives anglers the chance to enjoy fishing for red snapper while competing for cash payouts and prizes.

Fishing begins after check-in at Destin Pass at 8 a.m. on June 7. Scales will open that afternoon from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with awards and payouts immediately following at 7 p.m.

Entry costs $159 per team up to five anglers, with additional anglers only $35 each. Teams can compete in several red snapper categories as well as optional lady, youth and king mackerel divisions.

Teams can reserve a spot online and pay all entry and optional fees during registration at the captains meeting at 6 p.m. June 6 at North Light Yacht Club, 113 N. John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Captain and/or boat owner must be present.

For more information and to register, visit the North Light Challenge website or contact tournament director Joe Zwierchowski, 850-516-0709; or tournament coordinator Kelly Stage, 850-678-2836.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Light Marina hosts June 7 red snapper tournament

A trip down 'Abbey Road': Album's art lives again for NWF Symphony Youth Orchestra

Written by archive on May 7, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

NICEVILLE — The classic music album format was already on the wane when Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra members were born, but tonight the talented musicians will have a hand in its revival.

The students will join members of the Pensacola-based White Tie Rock Ensemble to perform "The Beatles: Abbey Road" in concert as Brian Brown, the youth orchestra's new director, makes his debut.

“As my first concert with the NFSYO, I wanted to create a fun and entertaining event that would help raise funds needed for scholarships and support for our youth symphony programs," Brown said.

White Tie Rock Ensemble leader Jonathan Clark said his group's mission is to help classic album music live again in the age of digital music downloads.

“Our classic concert series enables any fan, 8 to 80, to enjoy a timeless art form," Clark said. "At our events, liner notes are read, cover art appreciated and the B-side is not forgotten."

With its famous cover photo of the four lads from Liverpool — including the barefoot and out-of-step Paul McCartney — crossing Abbey Road in London, the 1969 album resulted from The Beatles' last recording session together.

The legendary band officially split up the following year.

Many songs from "Abbey Road" — including "Something," "Here Comes the Sun" and "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" — have become rock standards, and the album was The Beatles' best-selling record.

Just as The Beatles used electronic musical sound effects on "Abbey Road," the NWFSYO continues the band's pioneering tradition of enhancing rock music with unexpected instruments.

"Long live the side long epic!" Clark said. "Long live the concept album!”

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: "The Beatles: Abbey Road" performed by the White Tie Rock Ensemble and the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. May 15

WHERE: Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville

TICKETS: $22 at the Box Office, 729-6000 or at www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org

NOTES: Proceeds benefit the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A trip down 'Abbey Road': Album's art lives again for NWF Symphony Youth Orchestra

Okaloosa County health department: Avoid swimming, fishing, boating in contaminated areas

Written by archive on May 7, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Due to sewage spills caused by recent flooding, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County is monitoring contamination levels in the recreational waterways near the impacted areas. The following areas in Okaloosa County are currently under a health advisory due to elevated levels of bacterial contamination:

•Santa Rosa Sound from the Okaloosa County line to the mouth of Choctawhatchee Bay, including areas east of Mary Esther Cutoff in Mary Esther through Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island.

•The waters of Choctawhatchee Bay, along the coast of Fort Walton Beach, from the mouth of Santa Rosa Sound to Garnier Bayou. Poquito Bayou is not included in this advisory.

•The waters of Choctawhatchee Bay in the area at the intersection of Indian Trial and Main Street in Destin.

•Tom’s Bayou in Valparaiso

These advisories are in addition to those issued for Garniers Park in Fort Walton Beach and Wayside Park in Okaloosa Island through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.

DOH-Okaloosa is advising residents to avoid water-related activities in these areas, including swimming, fishing, and boating, until the advisories have been lifted. While Liza Jackson Park and Marler Park in Fort Walton Beach are not under advisory using our Health Beaches Monitoring Program criteria, in an abundance of caution, DOH-Okaloosa has issued an advisory for these locations due to the large number of sewer spills in that area. Testing will be conducted until water samples indicate bacteria levels have returned to normal.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County health department: Avoid swimming, fishing, boating in contaminated areas

REVIEW: Show tunes highlight community chorus spring concert

Written by archive on May 7, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Schola Cantorum's spring concert was one of those marvelous evenings that during the event, leave audiences wanting more and afterward, eagerly awaiting the community chorus' next performance.

That opportunity won't arrive until Schola's annual Christmas concert. In the meantime, the group anticipates growing beyond its current 12 members as vocalists from the now-disbanded Okaloosa Chamber Singers seek new choral music performance opportunities.

"When You Believe," the May 5 concert held at the First Presbyterian Church of Crestview, was a delightful mix of traditional choral selections and Broadway standards.

Particularly enjoyable among the non-show tune selections were Mozart's "Regina Coeli" and John Davis' enchanting "You Are the New Day" — "a new piece to us," director John Leatherwood said.

It's showtime!

And then the curtain rose on a glorious cornucopia of music from the Great White Way and West End.

Favorites included Rebecca Wendel and Sara Florence's duet on "In His Eyes" from "Jekyll and Hyde," and Richard Montague's solo of "To Each His Dulcinea" from "Man of La Mancha."

Leatherwood countered Montague's song with "The Impossible Dream" from the same Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion musical. Montague returned to solo on "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" from "Guys and Dolls."

That show doesn't rank high on my list of Broadway favorites, but does feature some great songs, and "Sit Down…" is one of them. Montague performed it very well.

The concert's title number, "When You Believe," the 1998 Academy Award-winning Best Original Song from "The Prince of Egypt," concluded the evening with gusto.

With the audience hesitant to leave, Leatherwood jokingly said, "I'm sorry; that's all we know."

We know he's fibbing, and come December, we'll be back for more.

I hope you'll join us.

Monday's audience was entirely too sparse for such great music by such accomplished singers.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter, @cnbBrian, or call 682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: REVIEW: Show tunes highlight community chorus spring concert

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