VALPARAISO — Members of Okaloosa County’s Filipino American Association feted the winners of their 2013 Best Red Dress competition Feb. 25 at an area restaurant.
Marina Mayer was the 2013 Best Red Dress winner; Lilian Cockrell won the 2013 Best Shoe award.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Filipino American Association announces Best Red Dress winners
CRESTVIEW — On Saturday, Warriors Hall will reverberate with Sounds of Joy as five regional performance groups take to the stage in "a Gospel Celebration in Song, Dance and Art."
A quintet of groups, all with strong local followings, will perform with one goal: to share God's word through the talents with which each performer has been blessed.
Featured will be the St. Mark's Choir, The Calling Dance Troupe, The Journey Band, The Wesley Boys and SALT. The Journey Band and The Wesley Boys are renowned from regional events including appearances at downtown summer arts festivals, the Triple B Barbecue Festival, the Laurel Hill Centennial, Laurel Hill fall and spring arts festivals. Some of the groups have also performed at the annual Great Night of Methodist Singing.
The variety of ways in which the five groups express their "sounds of joy" is particularly exciting, allowing the audience to contrast traditional and contemporary forms of praise music, organizer Mary Mancini said.
Sounds of Joy is the first concert of the year presented by the Friends of the Arts, a group that formed to purchase a grand piano for Warriors Hall.
"Gospel music is so big in our community, this concert was just a natural fit," Mancini said.
Proceeds from Saturday's event benefit the piano's maintenance and technical improvements to the hall.
Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
Want to go?
The Friends of the Arts presents Sounds of Joy, a Gospel Celebration in Song, Dance, and Art, 7 p.m. Saturday at Warriors Hall in the Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Ave. Tickets— $10, adults; $5, students — are available at the door or in advance at the Journey Java coffeehouse or UpBeat Music.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Sounds of Joy' coming to Warriors Hall Saturday evening
CRESTVIEW — Crestview Relay for Life team Duke It Out is hosting a dinner theater fundraiser 7 p.m. March 22 at Foxwood Country Club, 4927 Antioch Road, Crestview.
Tickets are $35, can be purchased by calling 826-0959. The price includes the performance of "Podunk Pandemonium," an Act 4 Murder presentation written by Paula Hilton, and a three-course dinner of salad, pulled pork, baked beans, apple crisp and banana pudding. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Murder mystery dinner theater benefits American Cancer Society
FORT WALTON BEACH — Doctors, first responders, and other stakeholders will speak in support of expanding access to trauma care during a workshop hosted by the Florida Department of Health, or DOH, at 8 a.m. March 8 at the Okaloosa County Health Department in Fort Walton Beach. The DOH is convening workshops across the state to gather public input about strengthening the Florida trauma system.
"Minutes – even seconds – can be the difference between life and death when dealing with traumatic injuries," said Dr. Tama Van Decar, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center's chief medical officer. "A trauma patient's chances of survival increase by 25 percent when they receive trauma care in a trauma center. However, Okaloosa and Walton County currently have no trauma center to serve our residents and visitors in times of crisis."
Trauma patients in these counties are forced to travel great distances to either Pensacola or Panama City. This takes much longer than the ideal "Golden Hour" in which they should receive trauma care. Furthermore, when winds reach 40 miles per hour, access from parts of Walton and Okaloosa counties to a trauma center becomes by increasingly dangerous ambulance and virtually impossible by air transport.
"For this community, a local trauma center would mean faster treatment for trauma patients and that will greatly improve our ability to save lives," said Mitch Mongell, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center chief executive officer. "The expansion of trauma care is critical to communities like Walton and Okaloosa Counties where quality trauma care is nonexistent."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Doctors, first responders speaking at March 8 trauma care meeting
Have you noticed food labels in our grocery stores over the last 10 years? They have changed significantly and sometimes read like a science textbook with nutrition jargon.
One of the newer things seen on foods is "gluten free." Many people are promoting these foods as a healthful way to eat.
So what is the big deal about gluten?
Dr. Amy Simonne and others at the University of Florida have developed a three-part series about gluten that provides straightforward, research-based facts.
As additional research is conducted, some of us may need a broader understanding of the issues surrounding these topics. We want to be wise consumers and avoid sway from marketing strategies.
So what is gluten?
Gluten is a mixture of proteins, gliadins and glutenins found primarily in wheat, rye or barley. It can trigger digestive, immune or autoimmune system difficulties for people with identified food allergies, food intolerances or food sensitivities. Before looking specifically at gluten, it is important to understand the differences between a food allergy, food intolerance and food sensitivity.
The facts
•Food sensitivity is a catchall term for food allergies and intolerances.
•A food allergy is the immune system reacting to a specific protein. A reaction usually occurs within minutes, but could be hours later. Cow's milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, soy or wheat trigger most food allergies.
•Food intolerance is more common than a true food allergy. It does not involve the immune system. Food intolerance is a metabolism problem in which the body cannot digest the food because of an enzyme deficiency.
Gluten mostly affects those with Celiac disease and wheat allergies. Celiac disease, the condition most often associated with gluten, is an inherited disease. Others may have wheat allergies or a gluten intolerance or sensitivity.
If you don't have specific gluten issues, you may want to know if you would be healthier without gluten. Limited research has shown improvements initially, but there are concerns about getting adequate nutrition on a gluten-free diet.
Knowing how to read a food label is crucial to finding and evaluating gluten-free foods. Look at the list of ingredients for wheat, rye, barley or a hybrid of these grains. The FDA proposed using the classification "gluten free" voluntarily in 2007.
Understanding your health issue and how it relates to reading a food label is very important.
Brenda Smith is with the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Information on gluten-free foods
CRESTVIEW — Following the Crestview High School chorus’ awarded “excellents” and "superiors" in district competition Feb. 28 at First Baptist Church of Milton, the women's chorus will perform May 3 at the state choral music competition in Tallahassee.
Under direction of Kevin Lusk, the school's choral music director, the women scored a superior for their stage performance at district, and garnered an excellent in sight-reading. Judges awarded them an overall superior, clinching their spot on the state performance program.
The men's chorus — which reportedly lost several members leading up to district competition — earned an excellent for their stage performance and a superior in sight-reading, scoring an overall excellent.
"Chorale got straight excellents on stage and in sight reading," senior and section leader Alex Andrews said. "Although the men and Chorale are not eligible for state, I still feel like we did great at district. We had pretty tough judges this year."
The chorus' all-female Destiny and Chanticleer show choirs, along with the solo and ensemble groups, will perform at the state choral music festival in Jacksonville on March 17, Alex said.
Upon their return, some chorus members who also belong to the school's International Thespian Society chapter will depart the state Thespian gathering.
"As soon as we get back from [state choral competition] on Monday, Tuesday the Thespians will be going to state in Tampa through the next Sunday," Alex said. "That will be a busy week!"
After state competition, the chorus will prepare for its May 9 spring concert, which is open to the public.
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: CHS women's chorus, show choirs are state-bound
Though you could easily force your lawn to turn green prematurely with many high-nitrogen fertilizers, it's a false sense of accomplishment.
That new green growth depends on the availability of other elements, some of which are scant under cool soil temperatures. Iron, for example, is not readily available while soil is still cool.
Your lawn begins to turn bright yellow after being fertilized too early. In other words, you've induced or caused a nutrient deficiency with this sudden decision. The soil then is too cool to allow roots to take in the needed iron to support the growth that you've caused.
Other needed nutrients, such as potassium, are not readily available under cool soil temperatures. As a result, some of these fertilizer elements leach below the root area before grass roots are in a position to use them.
You waste fertilizer and money when you hasten the natural course. Waiting to fertilize during soil temperatures that are more favorable allows for efficient use of the fertilizer and less waste.
For our lawn grasses to efficiently use fertilizer, consistently warmer nights are required. So why not wait until mid-April to fertilize? You'll waste less fertilizer, save money and have a healthier lawn in the process.
It's a win, win, win situation.
Larry Williams is an agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Wait to fertilize your lawn
CRESTVIEW — Penny Eubanks, West Florida Area Health Education Center’s assistant director and a former smoker, knows how difficult it is to quit smoking.
"A lot of times, it will take people multiple times to stop," she said. "The big thing is you have to want to."
Relatives can bring the subject to focus.
"When I quit smoking 17 years ago, it was primarily because of my son," Eubanks said.
Patricia Smith, who participates in AHEC’s Quit Smoking Now program, said her reason was similar.
"My son wants me to quit, my husband wants me to quit," the 47-year-old said.
Her son, Christopher York, who lives in Biloxi, said he would quit smoking if she would do the same.
"That's just more incentive for me to quit smoking," Smith said.
Another incentive is for her health.
"I have heart disease and high blood pressure,” she said, adding the former runs in her family.
Aiding her mission to quit that habit is AHEC’s six-week program, which provides free counseling and offers four weeks’ supply of free nicotine patches and lozenges.
"Most of the time, the patches are not enough for them, so we offer the combination treatments," Miriam Lavandier, the program’s instructor, a certified tobacco treatment specialist, said.
A box of nicotine patches can cost $30 to $40 per week, she said.
The state-funded program, which applies to smoking and chewing tobacco users, has been available at AHEC’s south Ferdon Boulevard location for the past six years. Tobacco users meet for one hour a week and learn effective ways to avoid tobacco use, cope with nicotine withdrawals and prevent relapses.
The Crestview location promotes health and wellness through several programs that serve Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Escambia and Walton counties.
This will be the second time that Smith has participated in AHEC’s program; she completed the course two years ago.
"I just wasn't mentally prepared for it then," she said.
This time, with support from physicians, friends and family, she is determined to quit smoking once and for all.
"This is it, I've got to do it," Smith said. "It’s going to kill me if I don't."
Want to go?
West Florida Area Health Education Center is at 1455 S. Ferdon Blvd. Call 398-6965 or see westfloridaahec.org for more information.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview program aids residents' efforts to quit smoking
CRESTVIEW — Coastal Vein Institute, in collaboration with The American Venous Forum and Legs for Life organizations, will offer a free varicose, spider vein and peripheral arterial disease screening to raise awareness for vascular disease and available treatment options.
The event is 2-5:30 p.m. March 4 at 550 W. Redstone Ave., Suite 410, Crestview.
In America, 72 percent of women and 42 percent of men reportedly will experience varicose veins by the time they are in their 60s. Venous insufficiency typically occurs in women ages 40-49 and in men ages 70-79.
Common risk factors for varicose veins and venous reflux include multiple pregnancies, family history, obesity and standing professions.
A leading cause of varicose veins is venous reflux disease caused by “leaky” valves in the greater saphenous vein running from ankle to groin in each leg.
In addition to varicose veins, symptoms may include leg pain, fatigue, swelling and skin ulceration. This condition can be progressive if left untreated and symptoms may worsen with time.
One in every 20 Americans over age 50 has peripheral arterial disease.
Individuals with the disease have a five-fold increased relative risk of a cardiovascular ischemic event and total mortality that is two to three times greater than those without it.
People with peripheral vascular disease often change their lifestyles, especially when they have standing professions and can’t tolerate being on their feet all day.
Screenings for vascular disease include a limited ultrasound and ankle brachial index. The screenings are quick and painless.
Contact Coastal Vein Institute, 682-0032, to register for the screening.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free leg pain screening event is March 4 in Crestview
CRESTVIEW — A Crestview church’s pastor looks forward to serving the community following an unexpected, bumpy journey to a new location across town from its former West James Lee Boulevard location.
‘Three Sundays to get out’
During a congregational celebration at Grace Redeemer Presbyterian Church's former home last summer, a damper was thrown on the evening when the church's property owner told the Rev. David Young, the church’s pastor, to expect a $1,000 a month raise in rent.
Unable to meet the request, the church vacated its home of two years.
"He said we basically had three Sundays to get out," Young said. "That begins our saga. We were on a month-to-month lease. The owner got a good offer he couldn't refuse. We couldn't meet it so we started looking for a new home.
“We didn't realize how hard it is to get into a new building."
Thus began a cross-town odyssey; though not rivaling the Israelites' 40 years in the desert, it was a substantial, half-year upheaval for the young congregation that included unexpected challenges with city regulations.
Meeting city regulations
Scrambling for space, the church found a suitable location in a former warehouse and church on Goodwin Avenue off SouthFerdon Boulevard. The building had been unoccupied for a year or two, Young said.
"When we came in here we said, 'Yeah, we can work with this,'" he said.
The church moved into the building during the last week of August 2012. Before erecting a sign out front, Young checked with the Crestview Planning and Zoning Department to ensure Grace Redeemer wouldn't run afoul of signage regulations.
The church’s sign, it turned out, was the least of their problems, Young said.
"Parking for a warehouse was not nearly sufficient for an assembly at a church," Crestview City Planner Eric Davis said. "They also had to do a few improvements to the storm water system and put in a swell (trench) to carry storm water to the pond in the back of the building."
Indoors, Young said, work included blocking off an industrial garage door to meet heating and air conditioning code, and running loose electrical wiring through conduit.
"The inside stuff was easy compared to getting the parking area and driveway taken care of," Davis said.
‘We just kept pluggin’ along’
It wasn't until after Thanksgiving, after appearing before two Planning and Zoning committees and the city council, that Grace Redeemer got final approval for the needed repairs.
"Eric has been our little angel over in City Hall," Young said. "There were times when I felt the city was against us, but he stood up for us. The city told us all the reasons we shouldn't be in this building, but we just kept pluggin' along."
Davis coached church members through improvements, Young said. Having been a contractor before receiving his calling to ministry, Young said, "It's been like the old days. I felt more like a skilled laborer the last several months than a pastor. It's been fun!"
City landscape-buffer rules required the congregation to provide greenery — exactly four trees — out front along industrial Goodwin Avenue, which is lined with the county Public Works yard and contracting firm warehouses.
While its new home was being renovated, the congregation met at the Crestview Knights of Columbus lodge at Twin Hills Park.
"The Knights of Columbus were amazingly accommodating," Young said. "They bent over backwards for us."
During its transition, the church maintained its support of a Haitian orphanage, which has grown from 38 children to 160. Young also ministers to inmates at the county jail. Some recently released former prisoners volunteered their carpentry and electrical skills to help renovate the new church.
"All of this is bigger than us, but God is bigger than that," Young said. "This is a humble beginning but it is a nice presence. But it's been a good journey.
“The Lord's been good to us."
Want to go?
Grace Redeemer Presbyterian Church meets at 2799 Goodwin Ave., Crestview.
Schedule: Sunday school, 9:15 a.m.; coffee fellowship, 10 a.m.; and worship, 10:30 a.m.
The public is invited to a March 10 launch celebration following morning worship, with games, a bounce house, hotdogs and frozen lemonade. In addition, congregation members will plant a garden behind the church.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Grace Redeemer church conquers challenges during move
