lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Grouper fishing reopens May 1 in Atlantic, Monroe County waters

Written by archive on April 28, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Anglers targeting grouper in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County, can take home some of their catch starting May 1, when the season reopens to harvest.

Species included in the recreational and commercial opening are gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby.

The harvest of these species of grouper will remain open until Jan. 1, 2015. The harvest closure was put in place to ensure the Atlantic grouper species' long-term sustainability.

State waters in the Atlantic are from shore to 3 nautical miles out.

More information about grouper bag and size limits, gear restrictions and fishing seasons, including a new map of the Atlantic and Gulf grouper fishing boundaries is available at the Florida Fish and Wildife Conservation Commission website: select “Saltwater Fishing” then “Recreational Regulations” and “Groupers.”

For more information about grouper bag and size limits, gear restrictions and fishing seasons, including a new map of the Atlantic and Gulf grouper fishing boundaries.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Grouper fishing reopens May 1 in Atlantic, Monroe County waters

The 'Singing Lawman': CHS alumnus makes country music mag cover

Written by archive on April 28, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Buck Owens famously sang "On the Cover of the Music City News." For a 1988 Crestview High School alumnus, being featured on the cover of an English country music magazine is just about as prestigious.

By day, Artie Rodriguez keeps residents safe. By night, he serenades them with country music. The twain met when he was the featured cover artist on Country Music People magazine's March issue.

Rodriguez, a Walton County Sheriff's Office lieutenant, is a traditional country music singer, and by "traditional," he means steel guitars, fiddles and nary a hint of rock.

"I play the opry style traditional country," Rodriguez said. "I was raised up with traditional country like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, George Strait, Freddy Fender, Ray Price: The real country music."

He said few local venues play the music he loves.

"In this area … you’ve got the tourists and they want to hear more of the rock and roll, beachy, Margaritaville kind of music,” Rodriguez told CMP editor Duncan Warwick.

The 2011 release of Rodriguez's first album, "She Loves George Jones," brought him to Warwick's attention, leading to such a large following in the magazine's motherland that it's boosted Rodriguez to star status in England.

The 14-year law enforcement veteran, a polygraph operator for Sheriff Mike Adkinson Jr., released his second album, "I'll Give You Something to Drink About," in February.

"He has released what I consider to be one of the best country albums I have heard in a while," Warwick said. "I personally admire that Artie stays true to traditional country music, and continues to make records in that style."

Adkinson takes having a country music star on his staff in stride.

"Artie's passion for music is the same love of service he brings to the citizens of Walton County," Adkinson said.

"I love being a law enforcement officer, and I love country music," Rodriguez said. "I'm glad I'm able to balance the best of both worlds."

WANT TO GO?

Law officer by day, country singer by night, Artie Rodriguez will perform next month at the Panhandle Opry.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. May 17

WHERE: Ed and Vera Strickland Music Hall, 657 DeShazo Rd., Mossy Head

TICKETS: Adults $8, seniors $7, children 6-16 $5, children under 6 free

NOTES: Artie Rodriguez will be guest performer during the evening's opry. His CDs are available on iTunes, CDBaby and ArtieRodriguez.com, and will be for sale at the Panhandle Opry.

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: The 'Singing Lawman': CHS alumnus makes country music mag cover

Financial institutions, schools teaching children to save

Written by archive on April 28, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Through July, area youths can participate in the University of Florida Okaloosa County Extension's Teaching Children to Save program.

Program participants set a savings goal and make a deposit into a savings account at Eglin Federal Credit Union, First National Bank of Crestview, CCB Community Bank, First City Bank or Beach Community Bank. Once Okaloosa Saves entry forms are collected from participating financial institutions, $50 will be deposited into six winners' accounts.

A $500 prize will be awarded to the school with the most votes and number of deposits. Youths who open savings accounts can vote for their favorite school at Antioch Elementary or Davidson Middle School.

See the Teaching Children to Save webpage for a link to more information about the program.

For additional information call 689-5850, extension 7 or email bsmith@co.okaloosa.fl.us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Financial institutions, schools teaching children to save

WRITING HER DREAM: Crestview author releases her first eBook

Written by archive on April 28, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — With the recent release of "Gift of Sight," Erin Manbeck is on the way to releasing a trilogy.

The ebook tells the story of Regan, a college student dating a boy named Sam, who wants to manipulate Regan's power so he can rule the world of magic she never knew existed.

Last week, Manbeck sent the second volume in the "Gifted Trilogy," "Gift of Power," to her editor, and hopes to have the third, as yet untitled, book completed this summer.

The former Florida National Guardsman said she was struck with the desire to write in January while working in Army command and staff administrative support at Eglin Air Force Base.

"I always thought writers were the people who worked from home, had plenty of free time to gather their story lines, publishing houses banging on their doors, and all were in possession of a literary degree from some prestigious college," Manbeck wrote in her blog. "I apparently over-analyzed the whole thing."

"Gift of Sight" is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Apple, Kobo, Sony, Smashwords, Diesel, Flipkart, Library Direct, Oyster, Page Foundry, Axis360 and Scribd.

Readers can follow Manbeck's blog at http://erinmanbeck.blogspot.com.

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: WRITING HER DREAM: Crestview author releases her first eBook

Hospital observes National Donate Life Month

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

CRESTVIEW — Even when a loved one dies, there is hope, particularly if the deceased was an organ donor, North Okaloosa Medical Center staffers said.

NOMC chief nurse Nina Perez believes that after experiencing it first-hand. When her uncle, Richard Green, died four years ago, her aunt, who lives in Alabama, received a thank-you letter from the recipient of his liver.

Such a simple act can help organ donors' family members carry on, she said.

"In the darkest hours, that is something positive they can hold onto," Perez said.

NOMC flies a "Donate Life" flag, along with the Stars and Stripes, at the main facility's flag pole, to observe National Donate Life Month.

It's one of 12 Panhandle hospitals to raise the flag and spread awareness for organ, eyes and tissue donations, which many lives depend on.

More than 121,800 people are on the national waiting list for organ donations and more than 5,200 are in Florida, as of this writing, according to Lesley Lang, from LifeNet Health of Florida.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hospital observes National Donate Life Month

Thanks to Woodlawn Baptist Church members, Crestview Manor residents are not forgotten

Written by archive on April 28, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Senior Woodlawn Baptist Church members ensure each month that Crestview Manor residents can sing praise.

Six of them sing hymns for an hour with about a dozen residents each fourth Thursday at the assisted living facility, church member Bill Evans said. The choir takes requests and sings standards like"Mansion Over the Hilltop," "Surely Goodness and Mercy" and "Amazing Grace."

"A lot of times, people in nursing homes get forgotten," George Katzman, the church's minister of education for senior adults, said. "This breaks up the monotony in their day and it gives them something to look forward to."

"It's beneficial because a lot of the residents cannot go to church," Sandra Adams, the facility's resident care assistant, said. "(This) gives them a sense of praise."

Manor resident Marshall Bradt said he "got roped into" one of the choir's performances when he was using a computer in the facility's recreational room. Bradt said he plans to attend the worship music events more often.

"I like the singing; that is what I enjoy the most," he said.

"I love (singing) all of the hymns," said Audrey Campbell, 93, said. "I loved singing since the age of 6."

Woodlawn Baptist Church members sing hymns to Crestview Manor residents on Thursday. From left are Bill Evans, LuAnne Williams and George Katzman with residents Audrey Campbell and Marshall Bradt. Senior church members visit the facility on the fourth Thursday of each month, and invite residents to sing praise music.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Thanks to Woodlawn Baptist Church members, Crestview Manor residents are not forgotten

Dancing in Frances' memory: Dance program perpetuates founder's joy of life

Written by archive on April 28, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

NICEVILLE — The Frances Smith Herron Dance Studio at Northwest Florida State College's Mattie Kelly Arts Center annually trains scores of student dancers in jazz, ballet, modern and classical dance.

When Crestview and DeFuniak Springs students Kalyn Sawyer and Haylee Green and their troupe mates danced Friday during Dance Facets' opening night, behind their performances was the motto of their studio's namesake: The words "Do it with love" hang on the wall as a reminder of what students should put into their art.

Dance Facets, cast after a vigorous, competitive audition process, showcases the year's accomplishments by the program's best students in these disciplines, professor of dance Joseph Taylor said.

“The work and background preparation that goes into this dance extravaganza is tremendous," Taylor said. "Those selected work for months on their choreography and dance numbers."

Taylor, who now heads the college dance program, was one of program founder and former dance department head Herron's students.

“It’s not appropriate to say I’m now ‘filling Frances’ shoes’ as head of the dance department — no one can take that place — but I do try to honor her legacy each day as I work with our students," Taylor said.

"In the end, it’s just as Frances said; it’s about more than teaching skills and technique. It’s about doing what you do with grace and love for both the art and the student who creates the art — to help make our students become better persons and live life to the fullest, just as Frances did.”

Frances Herron endowment

Frances Smith Herron, the wife of retired Fine and Performing Arts Division head Cliff Herron, died at age 54 in 2006 after complications from liver failure.

Students, alumni, colleagues and supporters raised $90,000 in 2008 for an endowment to celebrate her life by naming the college's dance studio in her memory.

The endowment has surpassed $105,000 and provided more than $5,000 in dance department scholarships and program support.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dancing in Frances' memory: Dance program perpetuates founder's joy of life

Women, Infants and Children program transitions from paper to card system

Written by archive on April 24, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

The Women, Infants and Children program has transitioned to an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, system, according to the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County.

WIC now uses an electronic card, much like a credit or debit card, rather than paper checks. EBT gives greater flexibility in redeeming benefits, faster checkout times and increased benefit security, according to a WIC spokesperson.

WIC, with Crestview and Fort Walton Beach offices, provides healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and counseling to families that meet program guidelines.

Call the Crestview WIC office, 689-7808; or the Fort Walton Beach office, 833-9254, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women, Infants and Children program transitions from paper to card system

Laurel Hill Arts & Heritage Festival expands spring event

Written by archive on April 24, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

LAUREL HILL — Regional artists and craftsmen, a fleet of vintage vehicles, a Boy Scout camp, and live music will highlight the May 3 Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival.

Diverse music lineup

The festival opens with the music of Crestview singer and guitarist Aaron Overton followed by classic and contemporary jazz from the Northwest Florida State College Jazz Ensemble.

Chevon Corlew and Jeremiah 29:11's lively energetic gospel and praise music will be followed by the haunting skirl of Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums.

Joining the musical lineup is Jordan Rogers, a Collegiate High School senior whose guitar and vocal artistry includes original compositions.

In addition, Gordon Martial Arts taekwondo students will demonstrate a routine of patterns, basic kicking skills and board breaking.

Food for worthy causes

Laurel Hill School parents and students will sell beverages for an upcoming field trip to New Orleans.

Crestview Boy Scout Troop 773 members will sell Scout Cobbler, a dessert they will cook in a Dutch oven over a campfire.

The First Presbyterian Church of Crestview's men's group will grill burgers and hotdogs to raise money for food baskets for needy families.

The Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church's desserts, baked goods and plant sales will benefit community outreach programs such as providing school supplies for needy Laurel Hill School students.

New component

The festival, hosted by the Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian Churches, is timed a half-year from the fall Hobo Festival, the churches' pastor, the Rev. Mark Broadhead, said.

This year's event adds a heritage component that salutes local history and traditions. The Baker Block Museum and North Okaloosa Heritage Association join the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Arts and Culture Committee and the Friends of the Arts in supporting the event.

"We think adding a heritage component will greatly broaden the appeal of our festival," Broadhead said.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

11 a.m.: Aaron Overton, acoustic guitar and vocals

11:45 a.m.: Taekwondo demonstration courtesy of Gordon Martial Arts

Noon: Northwest Florida State College Jazz Ensemble

1 p.m.: Chevon Corlew and Jeremiah 29:11

2 p.m.: Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums

Also scheduled are vocal and guitar performances by Collegiate High School senior Jordan Rogers

WANT TO GO?

What: Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3

Where: Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church yard, 8115 Fourth St.

Cost: Free admission and entertainment; food, arts and crafts available for purchase

Notes: Free parking available at the Laurel Hill School Fourth Street track. Food sales benefit Laurel Hill School, Presbyterian Church community outreach programs in Laurel Hill and Crestview, and Boy Scouts Troop 773.

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: Laurel Hill Arts & Heritage Festival expands spring event

EXTENSION CONNECTION: Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true lawn ads

Written by archive on April 23, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

You may see advertisements for "perfect" grass that produces a lush, green lawn with very little care.

Please, question advertisements for grass seed mixtures that grow from Alaska to Florida.

Advisories

Beware of advertisements that exclude a specific name for the grass being sold.

Don't believe advertisements that claim the grass "even grows in impossible spots."

Several years ago, I contacted a company that was advertising a grass seed mixture in hopes of finding out, specifically, what grass seeds were in this too-good-to-be-true mixture.

The mixture included Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue and annual ryegrass, a representative said. This information wasn't in the advertisement. And it claimed that it would produce an attractive lawn for Florida.

In Florida, ryegrass, fescuegrass and Kentucky bluegrass will produce a green lawn during winter and early spring. However, as temperatures warm in late spring and summer, these grasses will die.

All three types are cool-season grasses that won't tolerate our hot, humid summer weather. They won't produce a permanent lawn in our area.

Good grasses

You can choose from seven types of grasses when considering planting a lawn in Florida.

Centipede and St. Augustine are the most commonly planted in our area. Bahia, bermuda, carpet, seashore paspalum and zoysia are used less often.

All of these grasses have advantages and disadvantages, which should be understood before choosing a grass for your lawn.

With time, most people here will become frustrated with their lawn. As a result, North Florida is a great area to market a too-good-to-be-true lawn grass.

Reality check

Here's the reality: It's difficult to grow a lawn here.All our lawn grasses are native to other parts of the world; they did not exist in our native ecosystem. So expectations for a Florida lawn are too high.

Because of these factors, many people are looking for that too-good-to-be-true grass.

Be cautious before spending time and money on one of those "perfect" lawn grasses.

Contact the University of Florida Extension Office in your county or visit the UF lawn website for reliable information on lawn grass selection and maintenance for Florida.

Larry Williams is an agent at the University of Florida's Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true lawn ads

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