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

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

Two women with Okaloosa County ties are among 36 military wives competing in NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” The American Military Spouses Choir — which promotes using music therapy for wounded soldiers —comprises service members’ wives from throughout the United States.

Crestview’s Melissa Gomez, a family readiness support assistant with the Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), said the choir — now in the semifinal round — never dreamed of making it on the show.

Most of the choir members live near Washington, D.C., including Karen McMullen, who lived in Fort Walton Beach for 22 years; her husband is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Choir members who live in other locations practice over Skype, Gomez said.

The American Military Spouses Choir should perform on the televised talent show again in a few weeks.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Spouses Choir has Okaloosa members, advances on ‘America’s Got Talent’

NICEVILLE — With music spanning the spectrum from ABBA to Ol' Blue Eyes, and American icons as diverse as Dolly Gallagher Levi and Gomez Addams, Northwest Florida State College has a  2013-14 Broadway and Artists series to please any taste.

The Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center on the school's Niceville campus is the venue for the eight-show season. Individual show tickets go on sale Friday.

Here's a rundown. Ticket prices include a $2 box office processing fee. Curtain is 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12, 'This is the '60s’; includes pre-show gala reception, $37 show only: Featuring the timeless music of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Supremes, Monkeys, Cream, Simon and Garfunkel and more, the event celebrates not only classics of rock-and-roll, but NWFSC's 50th anniversary. Tickets: $52

Oct. 15, 'Mamma Mia!': A walk down the aisle awaits a former rock singer’s daughter, but only after she determines which of three men is the dad who will escort her. More than 50 million theatergoers around the globe have enjoyed the romantic comedy, set to super pop group ABBA’s music. Tickets: $51.

Oct. 28, 'Beyond Glory’: Stephen Lang's brilliant one-man show presents the stories of eight veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, sharing stirring firsthand accounts of incredible valor resulting in the Medal of Honor.Tickets: $37.

Nov. 12, 'The Addams Family’: They're creepy and they're kooky, and now they're live on stage in the altogether ooky hit Broadway musical as Wednesday brings her "normal" boyfriend and his folks home for dinner with her Gothic family. Tickets: $51.

Nov. 25, 'Hello Dolly!': Into shoes famously filled by Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, Ethel Merman and Barbra Streisand steps two-time Emmy winner Sally Struthers as Yonkers' most renowned matchmaker. The long-running Jerry Herman hit includes such showstoppers as "Before the Parade Passes By," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" and the title song. Tickets: $47.

Dec. 14, Spencer's Theater of Illusion: The Spencers, internationally acclaimed illusionists, present a mind-boggling twist on magic including walking through a sheering industrial fan and a solid brick wall accompanied by dazzling lights, complex set designs and their famous “Spikes of Doom.” Tickets: $27 adult, $22 youth.

Jan. 23, 2014, 'Bring it On’: This high-flying, hyper-gymnastic and savvy-sweet musical unites explosive dancing, aerial stunts and a hilariously universal story about the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through the thrill of extreme competition. Tickets: $42.

Feb. 22, 2014, 'Memphis’: One of Broadway's newest, hottest Tony Award winners, "Memphis" was inspired by the story of the legendary 1950s disc jockey Dewey Phillips and music that became known as rock 'n' roll. What happens when Dewey plays black music for his white audience? Is Memphis ready? Is America? Tickets: $47.

March 8, 2014, 'The Rat Pack is Back’: The music of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop bursts to life once more by a cast of exceptional celebrity impersonators in a tribute show dedicated to the fabulous days of Vegas show rooms. Tickets: $37.

Want to go?

WHAT: Ticket sales for the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Broadway and Artists Series

WHERE: Arts Center box office

WHEN: Season tickets available now; individual show tickets go on sale Friday. Box office hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

COST: Custom Season Package discount for five or more national shows. Discount of $5 per ticket for groups of 10 or more.

CONTACT: 729-6000or www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

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: Season packed with hits at Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Niceville

CRESTVIEW — The View From the Stage community theatre troupe seeks upward of 40 actors, singers and dancers of all ages eager to recreate Dickensonian London.

The company will hold auditions next weekend for its third production, a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol” to run Dec. 12-15.

The only part cast is Ebenezer Scrooge, whom Nick Trolian will portray, Director Sandra Peters said. Trolian appeared in Northwest Florida State College’s summertime production of "Les Misérables.”

Up for grabs are roles including Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley’s ghost, Cratchit family members, Fan Scrooge, the Fezziwigs, townspeople, businessmen and the ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet-to-come.

"British 'upper crust' and Cockney accents are a plus," VFS publicist Berit Faust said.

"We'd love to have a nice big group at auditions," Peters said, adding if enough talented people audition, she may double-cast some of the lead roles.

Backstage and production crewmembers are also needed, Faust said.

Rehearsals for the Michael DeMaio musical will start the second week of September, Peters said. Jerry Paul Cadenhead is the musical director.

"The music is not easy, so we want to get started right away," she said. "We really like this version. The music has an almost 'Les Miz' feel to it."

Want to audition?

WHAT: Open auditions for the Michael DeMaio musical adaptation of "A Christmas Carol"

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7; 5 p.m. Sept. 8

WHERE: Journey Java Connection, 269 N. Main St.

Actors age 7 and up wanted. Prepare 16 bars of a song demonstrating vocal range. Bring accompanying CD or sheet music, recent head shot and résumé. Production crewmembers and sponsors also sought. Call 420-6723.

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: View from the Stage casting for ‘A Christmas Carol’

Okaloosa County 4-H members each October can participate in our North Florida Fair at the Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds. This year’s fair is Oct. 7-12.

A 4-H youth could participate many ways. For instance, Okaloosa County 4-H holds livestock shows during the fair. This year we will have poultry and rabbit showmanship, and goat, beef and dog shows. All of these require pre-registration; you must enroll as an Okaloosa County 4-H member by Sept. 1.

We also have opportunities for members uninterested in showing animals. Exhibit entries include anything from photography, canning, sewing and knitting to poster creation. The fair premium book contains categories all exhibit entries. 

Each Okaloosa County 4-H club enters a club booth in the fair. The exhibits and club booths are judged and, depending on where you place, there are opportunities to win a bit of money.

You must complete a pre-registration form to join 4-H. You can find the forms, and the premium book, at www.nwffair.com/fair/fair.htm or http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu/4hy/. When filling out the form, use the fair premium book to write down your entries’ categories.

Okaloosa County 4-H is always excited to have new members join our program and experience a great 4-H opportunity at the North Florida Fair. 

If you are interested in joining and participating in the fair, or if you just want some more information on what 4-H has to offer, please contact me at the Okaloosa County Extension Office, 689-5850, or hbworley@ufl.edu. 

Haley Worley is an agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: 4-H fair coming to Okaloosa in October

NICEVILLE — 'Jake's Women', a comedy written by Neil Simon, will be produced this fall at the Mattie Kelley Arts Center in Niceville.

Auditions are Aug. 28, with sign-in at 6:30 in the Sprint Theater at the center. Actors must prepare a one-minute comic monologue.

For more information, contact director Clint Mahle, 729-6007 or mahlej@nwfsc.edu.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Auditions Aug. 28 for Neil Simon comedy at Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Archaic Cannon Records artist Nate Currin is wrapping up his 60-date U.S. tour for his sophomore full-length album, “The Pilgrim,” released Aug. 6.

He’ll stop in Crestview along the way, performing at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Grace Redeemer PCA Church, 2799 Goodwin Ave. Admission is free.

 “The Pilgrim” is an 18-song concept album centered on “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” written in 1678 by English writer and preacher John Bunyan. Currin’s album is his non-religious musical interpretation of this work.

“What I really wanted to do was weave my own life into Bunyan’s story. It’s about a man — in some cases, me — on a journey and allof the struggles he endures, the hardships he faces, the people he meets, all of the various things that happen along the way.”

The Atlanta-raised and now San Francisco-based singer-songwriter has traveled to more than 20 countries, toured with Blues Traveler and Neon Trees, been featured on MTV and received a first ballot Grammy nomination.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nate Currin to visit Crestview during ‘The Pilgrim’ summer tour