NICEVILLE — A poster design contest is the first component of Northwest Florida State College’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebration.

The contest, which offers an $800 reward to the top winner, is accepting entries. Poster contest rules and the entry form appear at www.nwfsc.edu/50.

The contest is open to anyone. The artistic medium used has no restrictions. Submission of digital art, watercolor, oil, illustration, photography and other forms is acceptable, but all entries must be formatted in a vertical poster format suitable for print reproduction.

The contest submission deadline is April 1.

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: Poster competition celebrates college's 50th anniversary

Saving money is a priority for 2013, Americans have indicated.

Fifty-two percent of survey respondents list “saving more” as their top financial resolution, according to a Fidelity Investments survey, as reported by Yahoo’s Money Talks News.

However, financial resolutions are harder to keep than other New Year's resolutions, survey respondents said. Less than half of respondents accomplished 80 percent of their financial goals for 2012.

If putting more money in the bank is a top priority for you, these seven tips will help you get started:

•Set goals

•Break down your goals into easy steps

•Make savings automatic

•Track expenses

•Find spending leaks and ways to cut expenses

•Track your progress and

•Reward yourself

You can use the 52 Week Money Challenge to structure your New Year savings resolution. This simple savings approach will help you accomplish all seven money tips. 

Add $1 each week until you build up to saving $52 in the month's last week. Or you can do the opposite and start with $52 the first week and work your way down to saving $1 in the 52nd week. 

Some folks have opted for each, with the third week to be the 52nd week and count downward while the other weeks count upward.

For example: save $1 in week one; save $2, week two; $52, week three; $3, week four; $4, week five; and $51, week six. 

This may make it easier to save. 

In the end, you will have saved $1,378! 

Can you do the 52 Week Challenge?

You can also join the Okaloosa Saves program at http://okaloosasaves.org and participate in the America Saves Week Challenge beginning Feb. 24. At the end of the challenge, you may be a cash prizewinner.

Additionally, attend the EcoNomic Living Expo, Feb. 2, at the Emerald Coast Convention Center for exhibits, seminars, kids' activities and more. 

See more information at http://economiclivingexpo.com.

Brenda Smith is with the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Save money with the 52-week challenge

CRESTVIEW — "Dancing with the Stars'" Tony Dovolani will headline a gala night of ballroom dance spectacle when Fred Astaire Dance Studio presents its annual showcase with proceeds benefiting Covenant Hospice.

Crestview High School's Pearl Tyner Auditorium on Feb. 16 will transform into a dance palace of sound, light and swirling bodies, featuring the season 15 champion of ABC's “Dancing with the Stars: All Stars.”

Joining Dovolani and his partner, Chelsie Hightower, will be amateur and professional dancers from the local Fred Astaire studio and studios across the Emerald Coast, including Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Tallahassee.

"It's a big production," Crestview studio co-owner Erika Moreno said. "It's the big show for the Crestview studio. Each studio hosts its own big show and this is ours."

The Crestview Fred Astaire studio has a history of supporting Covenant's local programs, which include bereavement services, children’s support programs, chaplain services and indigent patient care, Covenant Development Manager Jenni Perkins said.

"I think David (Colón, co-owner) and Erika are extremely community-minded," she said. "They really look for opportunities to get involved with a good cause while showcasing their passion for dance and their skill. They have supported Dance for Life for the past three years and every year it just gets bigger and better and raises more money for us."

In addition to Dovolani, the evening will feature "a small 'battle of the dancing stars,'" including studio professional Aaron Stowell dancing with local attorney Muncelle Mitchell, Moreno said. They will face off on the dance floor with Fred Astaire dancer Hannah Kania, whose partner will come from the ranks of community, business or civic leadership.

"Every year the show gets better, so every year we can increase the amount we can give Covenant Hospice," Moreno said. "And this year we have Tony!"

"Tony is such a hoot!" Perkins said. "He's always joking around and doing unexpected stunts during the show. He's a blast to be around."

"He's the biggest name we've ever had come to Crestview," Stowell said. "For anybody who's ever seen the show ("Dancing with the Stars"), he's a household name."

"But it's not just about having Tony perform," Perkins said. "David and Erika's students, the local performers, are just phenomenal. Having taken dance lessons at Fred Astaire, I know the amount of work and sweat that goes into it.

"I always leave Dance for Life so pumped. I find myself wiggling and hopping around in my seat during the show. The dancing and music (are) so infectious. There's lots of good fun and energy going on."

A limited number of V.I.P. tickets are available for the evening and include reserved front-row seats and participation in an after-show party with the stars, complete with refreshments, an open bar and photo opportunities.

Tickets are available at the Fred Astaire studio.

Want to go?

"Dance for Life," a ballroom dance spectacle benefiting Covenant Hospice— featuring Tony Dovolani and Chelsie Hightower from "Dancing with the Stars" — is at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Crestview High School's Pearl Tyner Auditorium.

Tickets are $30 for general admission or $60 for V.I.P. reserved seats and an after-show party with the stars.

Tickets are available at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 301 N. Main St., or online at www.FredAstaireCrestview.com.

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: 'Dance for Life' brings TV champion Tony Dovolani to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The Florida Chautauqua Theatre seeks actors who want to make a splash in the troupe's May production of the Disney stage musical "The Little Mermaid."

The theatre seeks high school, college and young adult actors for the production. The stage version features Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's Oscar-winning songs from the 1989 animated film, as well as new songs that Menken and Glenn Slater wrote for the stage. Memorable hits include "Under the Sea," Part of Your World" and "Kiss the Girl."

The familiar tale, based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen story, relates the efforts of Ariel, a mermaid, to escape the ocean depths and become human to win the charming Prince Eric's love.

Want to go?

"The Little Mermaid" auditions take place 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Florida Chautauqua Theatre, 840 Baldwin Road, in historic downtown DeFuniak Springs. Production dates are May 9-12.

Contact the theatre, 892-9494 or info@fcweb.org, for more information.

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: Florida Chautauqua Theatre sets 'The Little Mermaid' auditions

NICEVILLE — “Hair,” a celebration of peace and love, and the 2009 Tony Award-Winning Best Musical Revival directed by Diane Paulus, will appear at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center for one night only Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

The national touring show is part of the center’s popular Broadway Series. Tickets are on sale for $45 each.

Both a joyous celebration of youth and a poignant journey through a tumultuous 1960’s America, “Hair” features an iconic score including chart-topping hits such as “Let the Sun Shine In,” “Aquarius,” “Hair” and “Good Morning Starshine.”

“Hair” energetically depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the ’60s and ’70s that changed America forever. The musical follows a group of charismatic, free-spirited young people who passionately preach a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War.

“Hair’s” powerful message resonates as much today as it did 40 years ago when the show opened on Broadway. This critically-acclaimed revival became a theatrical tour de force in its limited engagement in Central Park, later moving to Broadway where it won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival as well as the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle awards for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

This inspiring new production of “Hair” features an exuberant finale where audiences are invited onstage to dance with the cast, and has a level of inclusiveness that is rarely seen in musical theater.

Executive producer, Daniel Sher, notes, “We are excited for audiences across the country to take this journey with us. See for yourself, let your hair down and share the love!”

Tickets are $45 each or $40 each for groups of 10 or more tickets purchased together. For tickets, contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Center box office at 729-6000 or 1-888-838-ARTS (2787) Monday to Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or purchase online at mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Tickets will also be available the night of the show, space permitting, starting at 6 p.m. At-the-door seating is the same price as advance tickets. There is a $2 per ticket processing fee.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center is on the Niceville campus of NWF State College at 100 College Blvd.

Directed by Diane Paulus, who also directed the Tony Award-winning revival of The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess,” and choreographed by Karole Armitage, “Hair” features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado with music by Galt MacDermot.

While many find this show suitable for young adults ages 13 and older, parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature. The scene will be noted in the program as for mature audiences. Additional show information can be found at the website HairOnTour.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mattie Kelly Arts Center presents 'Hair' tour Wednesday

CRESTVIEW — A three-day trip to Washington, D.C. to witness Inauguration Day convinced a Bob Sikes Elementary School fourth-grader that she wants to see more.

Justice Livingston, 10, attended President Barack Obama's second inauguration on Monday, capping a weekend of sightseeing, witnessing history unfold, and fulfilling a long-time dream.  

Justice on Christmas Eve received an envelope full of materials from the White House, including a letter from the president, following a letter she wrote to Obama in November.

She also wrote a letter four years earlier, following the president's first inauguration.

“I told him I am just like him,” she said to the News Bulletin in 2009. “My daddy is black, and my mom is white.”

Last weekend, Justice's older cousins — Libby Lewis-Reeves, Tawanah Reeves and Master Sgt. Tonya Lewis, Crestview natives living in other cities — treated her to a weekend in the capital, where she could be closer than ever to her role model.

However, the National Mall and the Inaugural Parade route were so crowded that Justice and her cousins couldn't actually see the proceedings.

"We couldn't see him (Obama)," Justice said. "But we could hear him. And we heard Beyoncé sing."

Singer Beyoncé Knowles sang the national anthem during Monday's inauguration, but the energetic crowd witnessing this national event particularly interested Justice as she and her cousins approached the U.S. Capitol.

"The rush of getting there and everybody pushing was exciting," she said. "But the closer we got, everybody got happier. They (security forces) moved people into, like, little blocks. One big guy and his daughter came bouncing everybody out of their way. We just laughed at them."

Pat Mosely, her grandmother, explained the "little blocks" were roped off stalls; each contained a certain number of spectators. Officials using observation satellites could count the stalls to get an accurate estimate of the crowd, which was "at least" 1 million people, according to the politics website Politico.com.

During the trip, Justice climbed the Washington Monument. The iconic landmark was impressive even before she set foot in it, she said.

"It was wonderful just walking up to it," Justice said. "The view was, actually, wow!"

She and her cousins also visited the National Museum of African Art, and took pictures in front of government departments, including the Department of the Treasury.

"It was tiring with all the walking," Justice said. "It was good to sit sometimes, but it was fun!"

Justice is already planning her return visit to Washington, D.C. She and her grandparents, with whom she lives, are planning a spring road trip to the capital, and she hopes to return with her cousins.

"In two or three months, we should be going back," Justice said.

Now that she's attended the president's second inauguration, she's drafting another letter to send to him.

"She wants to write to him and tell them she wants to meet all of them (the first family) in the White House," Mosely said.

"Hopefully, we'll get a tour of the White House. Maybe then I'll get to meet President Obama," Justice said.

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: WITNESS TO HISTORY: Inauguration inspires Crestview fourth-grader

CRESTVIEW — An award-winning home chef has added a feather to her toque.

Sherri Williams, who won Crock-Pot's “Crockin’ in the USA” contest in December, started last weekend on a high note with a phone call from NBC.

“Someone from the 'Today' show called,”she said. “I had entered the ‘Chicken Wing Cook-Off.’ She gave me a call and told me I was one of the three winners. I’ll be going up there on Jan. 31 for a live airing on Feb. 1.”

The contest — which the daily morning chat show ran Jan. 8-16 — called on cooks to submit their favorite chicken wings recipes. Williams was among three winners selected for the trip to New York to share her recipe with a live national audience.

She won’t be entirely among strangers.

“The good thing about it is one of my foodie friends is one of the other winners,” she said.

After flying into New York, Williams will attend a rehearsal the afternoon of Jan. 31. The live show will be the next morning. Because she won't do the actual cooking, she had to ensure the recipe was precise.

Reason enough to cook up another batch of wings— “just to be sure,” she said.

“Their food stylists are going to do the actual preparing of the wings,” Williams said. “The recipe has to be exact when someone else is making them. If I was doing it, I could tweak them a little.”

The key ingredient to Williams’ Asian scorpion pepper jelly wings is Uncle Gary’s Gourmet Scorpion Pepper Jelly, bottled commercially by Williams’ friend Gary Langer from his father’s recipe. It gives the wings a spicy kick, Williams said, adding she wondered whether "Today" hosts’ palates would be up to the challenge.

“I hope they realize they’re going to be spicy,” she said. “They’re pretty darn good. You can enjoy the flavor of the wing and then you get the heat in the back of your palate. ”

Williams said her husband, Roy, isn’t fond of spicy food but agreed the wings were outstanding.

Then the heat caught up with him.

“‘Oh baby, these are hot!’” she said he exclaimed. “They’re good anytime, though, even if you’re just having a little function.

“Even if you don’t want to use scorpion pepper jelly, you can use a mild pepper jelly. The flavor is in the Asian spices. You can use any jam or jelly.”

At a recent get-together, Williams served three kinds of wings, including the Asian scorpion variety. Another style was finished with a blueberry glaze.

“It’s a merlot with blueberry jam with blueberries,” she said. “You talk about good! The glaze was outstanding! I marinated them overnight in blueberry balsamic vinegar.”

Williams said she named them Ray Day wings in honor of Ray Lewis, a player for the Baltimore Ravens.

“He’s retiring this year and he’s been doing so much for the game for them,” she said. “I thought I would dedicate them to him, and they ended up winning.”

Williams, the manager of a Destin condominium complex, said the NBC caller asked her how many recipe contests she’s won.

It was the first time she actually had to stop and think about it.

“I never sat down and counted them,” Williams said. “It was like over 30 in less than 21 months. Most of those were won in 2012. I never realized how many I’ve won.

“I thought, ‘Oh goodness, I’m the crazy contest maniac,’ but I figure I’ve got to cook anyway so I might as well enter it in a contest. Cooking is my love and passion. I just enjoy doing it more than anything, and that’s the truth of the matter.”

Want to watch?

Crestview chef Sherri Williams will appear on NBC's "Today" sometime between 7 and 11 a.m., Feb. 1.

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: WINNING WINGS: Crestview chef to appear on national talk show

CRESTVIEW — Europe's last operational B-17 "Flying Fortress" will roar over the beaches of Noirmoutier, Crestview's sister city, as the island community pays homage to a similar bomber's crew members who crash-landed there in July 1943.

A contingent from Crestview will be among the beach crowd.

The B-17's flyover and a pair of World War II escorts, a C-47 Dakota and a P-51 Mustang, are part of a weeklong "Wings of Victory" celebration being organized by the Noirmoutier Vintage Vehicles Association and the island's sister city committee.

Planned events include a Family Day at the Airbus factory in nearby Saint Nazaire, target of the American bombing run during that ill-fated B-17 flight. The aircraft to fly over the island will be on display during the Airbus event. Saint Nazaire is also home to a massive German World War II U-boat pen complex, a visit to which is also included.

La Guériniere village will recreate a war-era community complete with re-enactors portraying villagers, French Underground members and German occupation troops. A large-scale parade and exhibit of war-era vehicles will fill the square at the Noirmoutier castle. Visitors will feast on gala meals and hear a free concert with dancing by a local swing band.

Crestview Sister City committee organizers said their French counterparts assure Okaloosa County visitors have a memorable experience.

"You will have ample time to explore the magical island, shop in its many charming boutiques and markets, perhaps loll on the lovely beaches, and immerse yourself in the culture of your hosts — including all that world-class cuisine!" the committee's informational material states.

Participants will stay with French host families, "including marvelous, home-cooked meals … plus all the advantages of exploring Noirmoutier through the eyes of a native," the materials state. "You’ll see and experience wondrous things never mentioned in the guidebooks or seen on package tours!"

Participants must arrange their air travel to and from France; once they arrive in Nantes, the closest major city, the Noirmoutier Sister City Committee takes over and expenses are minimal. Accommodations and transportation are included in membership dues, currently $2 for students or $30 for a family.

An optional overnight excursion to Normandy is available at additional cost, currently estimated to be $160. Noirmoutrin historians will escort their Crestview friends to the gothic island monastery of Mont Saint Michel, the "Utah" and "Omaha" D-Day landing beaches, the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer.

Time permitting, an opportunity to view the famed Bayeux Tapestry, a nine-century old, 230-foot-long embroidery depicting the Norman conquest of England, will be included.

Want to go?

Anyone interested in the June 24-July 3 visit to Noirmoutier can attend an informational meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Crestview Public Library. The event is free, and the Crestview High School French Club will provide complimentary chocolate crêpes. Contact Pam or Joe Coffield, jcoffield@cox.net or 682-8437, for information.

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: Area residents invited to French sister city celebration

FORT WALTON BEACH — Feb. 4 is the deadline to submit works for consideration at the 21st Southeastern Juried Fine Arts Exhibition.

The Arts and Design Society invites southeastern artists to submit works for the exhibition, hosted by Northwest Florida State College and presented by Cox Communications.

JPEG images of works are due by midnight Feb. 4 for the exhibition, which runs April 21 through May 31. The entry fee is $35 per submission, with a three-entry limit per artist.

Contact adsoart@yahoo.com or visit www.artsdesignsociety.org and select “Call to Artists” for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Organizers of fine art exhibition looking for submissions

CRESTVIEW — What do the films “Goldfinger,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Dead Ringer” have in common?

They’re among nearly 50 film soundtracks displayed in “The World of Movie Music,” an exhibit running through February in the Crestview Public Library’s lobby.

Exhibited items were culled from more than 2,500 soundtracks and cast albums in News Bulletin Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes’ collection. Before he came to Crestview, he co-founded and co-hosted “Stage and Screen,” a radio program of original musical theatre, film and TV music that began in 1986 and continues today on WTUL 91.5 FM in New Orleans.

Among displayed soundtracks are several well-known record labels sought by film music aficionados. These include soundtracks from classic MGM musicals “The Wizard of Oz,” “Gone With the Wind” and “Victor/Victoria,” remastered by Rhino Movie Music from original session tapes stored in studio vaults.

Early CD reissues of rare vinyl soundtracks released by the European Tsunami label are also exhibited. Composer Jerry Goldsmith’s classic soundtrack to “The Sand Pebbles” contrasts with a 2011 release on Intrada Records.

Other soundtracks — some issued for the first time, from original studio vault tapes — include limited-edition releases from FilmScore Monthly, namely “All About Eve” and Ron Goodwin’s much-sought-after complete score to the World War II Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood epic, “Where Eagles Dare.”

Two rarities are the soundtracks to Leni Riefenstahl documentaries.

The director produced “Triumph of the Will” for the Nazi Party in 1934. Especially rare is one of two proof soundtracks from her “Olympia,” a documentary of the 1936 Berlin Olympics produced for the International Olympic Committee.

Riefenstahl died at age 101 during early stages of production on the soundtrack CD and the project was abandoned.

Vinyl records, CDs, reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes and 8-track tapes are among the collection.

Sheet music, including a rare copy of “The Trolley Song” that Judy Garland sang in “Meet Me in St. Louis,” also is exhibited.

Informational tags discuss soundtrack collecting and offer tips on identifying an original soundtrack recording versus a studiotrack.

The former is the actual music recorded for and heard in the film.

A studiotrack is a subsequent recording, sometimes by an artist not connected with the film, and other times by the composer who returns to the studio to make a second recording of his score to enhance the music for the album.

Most of Henry Mancini’s “soundtracks” are, in fact, studiotracks.

From John Barry to John Williams, Max Steiner to Ennio Morricone, some of film music composition’s most renowned names are represented through February in the lobby display cases of the Crestview Public Library.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Soundtrack exhibit currently mounted at Crestview library