NICEVILLE — The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra invites patrons to join the region's premier symphony for a musical journey through Europe, America and a "Winter Wonderland."

The season's concerts begin Sept. 28 with "An Austro-Hungarian Journey," featuring music by Johann Strauss and a suite of Hungarian dances.

"American Impressions," Nov. 16, features the regional premiere of guest artist Jeff Midkiff's "Concerto for Mandolin" from "The Blue Ridge."

The program also includes Antonin Dvořák's "New World Symphony," a salute to our young nation.

Bells will jingle and carols will deck the halls for the popular annual "Holiday Pops" concert on Dec. 13, transforming the Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center into a musical winter wonderland.

On Feb. 7, 2014, "The Stars of Tomorrow Meet Handel" features annual concerto competition winner guest artists and the NFSO's performance of George Frideric Handel's "Water Music."

The season concludes April 12, 2014, with "A German Spring Celebration," including Robert Schumann's "Spring" Symphony and Felix Mendelssohn's "Overture to the Beautiful Melusine."

A highlight will be Ludwig van Beethoven's soaring, majestic "Choral Frantasy," performed by German pianist Alexander Krichel, the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale and guest soloists.

Want to go?

WHAT: Tickets for each Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra concert

COST: $24.50, including a $2 "ticket processing fee" levied by the Mattie Kelly Center.

DETAILS: 729-6000 or www.nfsymphony.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Symphony's season features music from Europe and the U.S.

CRESTVIEW — Floridians who join the Arbor Day Foundation this month will receive 10 free live oak trees as part of the foundation’s Trees for America program.

Click here to become an Arbor Day Foundation member for $10 and select from live oak trees, crape myrtles, white dogwoods or other species>>

The trees will be shipped postpaid between Oct. 15 and Dec. 10, the ideal time for planting. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Planting instructions are enclosed with each shipment.

New Arbor Day Foundation members will also receive “The Tree Book,” with information about tree planting and care.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 10 free live oak trees available with Arbor Day Foundation registration

CRESTVIEW — Entering a January dance competition just to be a good sport has turned a local attorney into an avid dancer who has earned multiple first-place prizes following her first regional competition.

Muncelle Mitchell, of the Chesser and Barr law firm's Crestview office, competed in the Aug. 23-24 Central Dance Championships in Sarasota.

Dancing in the student category with her Fred Astaire Dance Studio instructor Chris Schultz, Mitchell competed in the waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, rumba and cha-cha, netting 34 first-place and six second-place awards.

"It was a little scary at first," Mitchell said of her first big competition. "But Chris was wonderful. He's an amazing teacher and kept me calm."

Mitchell first tried ballroom dancing when friends encouraged her to participate in January's Dance for Life fundraiser at Crestview High School. She never imagined she'd still be dancing, let alone in a large regional competition.

"It quickly became an addiction and a love," she said. "I didn't think I'd ever be competing, but I'm certainly glad that I did. It was an unforgettable experience."

"She is already a strong regional contender," studio co-owner David Colón said.

The studio's staff also competed and brought awards back to Crestview. Colón and Hannah Kania won second place in the mixed novice tango and mambo category.

Schultz joined instructor Katie Guillen in the open smooth tango and foxtrot category for another second-place medal.

Dancing is now an integral part of Mitchell's life and part of her wellness regimen.

"I don't think I could function without my weekly lessons with Chris," she said. "Mentally, physically, it's great therapy."

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview attorney earns top prizes at Sarasota dance championship

Recreational harvest season for snook, Florida’s premier game fish, opens Sept. 1 statewide.

While the fishery is more than 90 percent catch-and-release, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission encourages anglers to use moderation when determining whether to take a snook home.

Seasonal closures to help protect the species during vulnerable times such as cold weather begin Dec. 1 in Gulf state and federal waters, including Monroe County and Everglades National Park, and Dec. 15 in Atlantic state and federal waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.

The one-fish-per-person-per-day bag limit, annual closed seasons and size limits help rebuild snook populations on both coasts. In the Atlantic, snook must be between 28 and 32 inches long. In the Gulf, they must be between 28 and 33 inches long. A snook permit and a recreational saltwater license are required unless the angler is exempt from having a license. Snagging and spearing snook are prohibited. It is illegal to buy or sell snook.

Researchers ask anglers who harvest the fish to save filleted carcasses and provide them to the FWC by dropping them off at a participating bait and tackle store.

Click here for a list of participating bait and tackle stores that collect filleted snook carcasses for research. Click "Saltwater,” “Saltwater Fish,” “Snook” and “Snook Anglers Asked to Help with Research.” 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Limited snook harvest opens Sept. 1

Saltwater license-free fishing day is Sept. 1 in Florida. All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions apply.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider adding two more saltwater and two more freshwater license-free fishing days to the calendar during a Sept. 5 meeting in Pensacola. All other regulations still apply.

An annual license for residents can be purchased at 1-888-FISH-Florida or at License.MyFWC.com.

Click here and then click on “Saltwater” and “Recreational Regulations" for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sept. 1 is saltwater license-free fishing day

CRESTVIEW — Tarpon and bonefish become catch-and-release only fisheries beginning Sept. 1.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved this measure June 12 to recognize that bonefish and tarpon’s economic and fishing values greatly exceed their value as food fishes.

The following changes go into effect Sept. 1 in state and federal waters off Florida:

•All tarpon harvests will be eliminated, except for a single tarpon harvest or possession for an International Game Fish Association record, along with a tarpon tag.

•Tarpon tags are limited to one per person annually, licensed charter boat captains and fishing guides.

•Transport or shipment limit is one fish per person.

•There is a one-fish-per-vessel limit for tarpon.

•Gear is limited to hook-and-line only.

•Multiple hooks along with live or dead natural bait may not be used to target or harvest tarpon, or to target bonefish.

•People may temporarily possess a tarpon for photography, measuring length and girth, and scientific sampling, but tarpon more than 40 inches long must remain in the water.

•The bonefish tournament exemption permit — which allowed tournament anglers with the proper permit to temporarily possess bonefish for transport to a tournament scale — is eliminated.

Learn more about tarpon and bonefish.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tarpon, bonefish become catch-and-release-only Sept. 1