lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Tractor Supply hosts poultry care event

Written by archive on April 4, 2017. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Tractor Supply Company in Crestview will host a backyard poultry information event.

Attendees can engage in a number of activities centered on learning how to care for and manage an at-home flock from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 8 at the store, 320 James Lee Blvd. W., Crestview.

"The popularity of raising backyard poultry has continued to grow year after year and it has a lot to do with the convenience of getting fresh eggs right from your own backyard," Rosalind Viall, manager, said. "Our goal is to ensure that anyone who's interested in raising a backyard flock has the resources and information needed to do so."

The company has all items needed to raise poultry, including starter kits, feeders, bedding, heat bulbs and lamps, coops, according to a store media release. And for the poultry enthusiast, an expanded selection of poultry products is available at TractorSupply.com.

In addition to the main event, attendees may enjoy a pet adoption section and poultry clinic. The Pins & Mutts Adoption group will be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue will be there 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Call the store at 682-0945 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tractor Supply hosts poultry care event

Baker area churches unite

Written by archive on April 3, 2017. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve North Okaloosa County residents’ quality of life.

BAKER — The Baker Area Ministerial Association unites North Okaloosa church pastors and staffers for conferences, religious events and various training sessions.

The nonprofit group's next gathering is a Palm Sunday celebration scheduled 6 p.m. April 9 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 5595 U.S. Highway 4 S., Baker.

In the Christian tradition, Palm Sunday observances take place the week before Easter Sunday, in celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as king, his crucifixion and resurrection.

For the association’s observance, Pilgrim Rest Minister of Music Darren Williams will direct a community choir of members from local churches. The guest speaker is the Rev. Curt Rainey, First Baptist Church of Holt's pastor.

The group will accept offerings at the event to support its various ministries.

Multiple North Okaloosa County churches coming together during the Easter season is nothing new for the association.

"We have an Easter service annually. Sometimes it's sunrise service, but this year we decided to try a Palm Sunday service," Eugene Strickland, the association’s secretary, said.

The group also has an annual Thanksgiving service, and two churches — First Baptist Church of Holt and Shady Grove Assembly of God in Baker — operate food pantries for area families in need.

In addition, the association, as a go-between for the Baker Lions Club and the Florida Baptist Convention, coordinates FBC's annual free mobile dental clinic in Baker.

And, just in case you’re wondering, community involvement doesn’t stop there.

Two member churches provide food ministry and utility bill assistance to area residents.

—

WANT TO JOIN?

North Okaloosa church congregations interested in joining the Baker Area Ministerial Association may attend its meetings, which are 8:30 a.m. second Tuesdays of the month at Shady Grove Assembly of God in Baker.

Baker Area Ministerial Association members include:

•Cross Creek Country Fellowship

•First Baptist Church of Baker

•First Baptist Church of Holt

•First Baptist Church of Milligan

•Golan Assembly of God

•Holt Assembly of God

•Magnolia Baptist Church

•Milligan Assembly of God

•Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church

•Shady Grove Assembly of God

•Shockley Springs Baptist Church

•The Shepherd's Church

DID YOU KNOW?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker area churches unite

Reflecting on Palm Sunday, Holy Week

Written by archive on April 3, 2017. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Palm Sunday and Holy Week are almost upon us. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, when, as detailed in Matthew 20:9, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey to palm branches waving and the crowds crying, "Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord."

Just a few days later, many of these same people were shouting for His crucifixion. Public opinion had turned against the Lord and the rest of the week would be somber until Easter morning.

After the triumphal ride into Jerusalem, Jesus went about His usual business of teaching His disciples, all the while knowing what would transpire later in the week.

If you knew your life would end in four or five days, what would you do? Would you go about your normal business, or would you do things differently? I know that I would spend as much time with my family as I could.

Would you gaze upon a beautiful sunrise or sunset one last time while holding hands with your beloved spouse? Undoubtedly, we would all have important things to say to those we love if we knew our lives were ending, and, I can guarantee that the time would fly by.

Jesus imparted new teachings to His disciples during Thursday's Last Supper, so they would be prepared to carry on His ministry.

In the Christian tradition, many churches remember the week of Christ's death with Maundy Thursday services to commemorate Christ's last Passover supper with His disciples and Good Friday services, the day we remember His crucifixion and burial.

Most Crestview churches will have extra services during Holy Week. You can check the paper and see what times these services are offered. Several churches will offer Easter egg hunts for the children, a fun activity in which to participate.

Do you, as a family, have any Palm Sunday and Holy Week traditions?

Do you deliberately turn off the television set and read God's Word as a love offering to the Lord?

Do you reflect on the great gift of love the Lord gave us when He willingly died for our sins?

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Reflecting on Palm Sunday, Holy Week

Crestview resident presents research at University of Alabama conference

Written by archive on March 31, 2017. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview resident is among University of Alabama students selected to present a research project at UA’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference.

Shelby Critcher of Crestview on March 30 presented the project, "Variability of Electrical Impedance Measurements Collected from Human Forearm Using Multiple Electrode Configuration."

Students participating in the competition gain experience presenting and defending their research projects to a panel of judges in both oral and poster presentation forms, according to a conference media release.

They also become eligible for cash prizes, and form relationships with faculty mentors and fellow conference presenters.

Awards will be presented April 10 at the school stadium's south end zone.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident presents research at University of Alabama conference

Emergency response training available in Crestview

Written by archive on March 30, 2017. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The North Okaloosa Community Emergency Response Team's basic certification training is scheduled. With certification, participants may help our area's first responders during the first 72 to 96 hours after a natural or man-made disaster.

CERT will provide free training for area residents ages 18 and up April 21-23 and April 28-30 at No special skills or experience are needed. Attendance at all six sessions and preregistration are required to become certified.

The first three sessions are 6-9 p.m. April 21, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22, and 1-5 p.m. April 23 at Crestview Fire Department Station No. 1, 321 N. Woodruff Ave. The last three sessions are 6-9 p.m. April 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29, and 1-4 p.m. April 30 at the station.

Topics include first aid, disaster psychology, fire prevention and fire safety, disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and terrorism.

Completion of the class does not create any obligation to become part of North Okaloosa CERT, but does qualify the student to be part of any Community Emergency Response Team in the country.

Go to https://okaloosaflcert.samariteam.com/Default.aspx to preregister and fill out the CERT application. Email NOkaloosacert@gmail.com for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emergency response training available in Crestview

2 pedestrians seriously injured in Wednesday night accident

Written by archive on March 30, 2017. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Two Crestview residents remain hospitalized with multiple severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle shortly before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Both were standing in the roadway of Ferdon Boulevard South.

Heather Gibbons, 29, and Erin Davis, 19, stopped their respective vehicles after noticing a dog lying in the northbound inside lane of Ferdon Boulevard (State Road 85) at the intersection of Robinson Avenue.

A northbound vehicle, driven by a 17-year-old Crestview resident, struck the women as they examined the dog in the dark intersection.

Because LifeFlight was not operating due to weather conditions, the women were transported to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center by Okaloosa County EMS ambulance.

Gibbons is listed in serious condition and Davis is listed in critical condition.

The Crestview Police Department is continuing to investigate the accident.

Two other pedestrians have been struck by vehicles on S.R. 85 recently in Crestview, including a man who was killed on the morning of March 12 near the intersection of Griffith Avenue. The accident remains under investigation by the Crestview Police Department.

Three days earlier, a women was struck by a truck that left the roadway and hit her while she waited to cross at the intersection of Redstone Avenue near Publix. She was released from North Okaloosa Medical Center the day after the accident.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2 pedestrians seriously injured in Wednesday night accident

'Jose Ole' beef taquito recall set

Written by archive on March 28, 2017. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

WASHINGTON — Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc., a Lampasas, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 35,168 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat beef taquito products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically rubber with plastic, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The items were produced Dec. 30, 2016.

The products subject to recall are 60-ounce plastic bags inside of a corrugated carton labeled as “José Olé Taquitos Beef Carne De Res In Corn Tortillas Crispy and Crunchy,” with case codes 3366365A, 3366365B, 3366365C, 3366365D, and a Best By date of Dec. 30, 2017.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “Est. M-5590” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wyoming.

The problem surfaced when Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc. received two consumer complaints of foreign material in its ready-to-eat beef products on March 14 and March 21. The foreign materials were pieces of rubber with white plastic that originated from the establishment's processing equipment.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS urges consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact General Counsel Paul Taylor at 909-477-4800.

Consumers with food safety questions can visit AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov, an FSIS virtual representative website.

The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), available in English and Spanish from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem can also be accessed 24 hours a day.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Jose Ole' beef taquito recall set

Bridgeway starts Mental Health First Aid Training

Written by archive on March 27, 2017. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Starting March 31, Bridgeway Center Inc. will provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training for the Okaloosa Technical College practical nursing program.

The eight-hour course gives people the tools to identify when someone might be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with support and resources when necessary.

“One in five Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care,” a Bridgeway media release states. “Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance-use problems can be difficult to detect.

“For friends and family members, it can be hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not get them until it is too late.”

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, MHFA prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a five-step action plan that guides them through the process of offering support.

"Through this program, we hope to take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems," Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health, said. "When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they may need."

The council helped bring MHFA to the U.S. in 2008. In 10 years, MHFA has become a movement in the United States, with more than 550,000 people as certified MHF Aiders, according to the media release.

Bridgeway Center Inc., has two Youth MHFA instructors and one Adult MHFA instructor. BCI has provided training to over 285 Okaloosa County residents and professionals since 2015. This includes guidance counselors for Okaloosa County schools and Sheriff's Office School Resource Officers.

Contact Lisa Lydston, BCI, at 833-7500 extension 203 or lisa.lydston@bridgeway.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bridgeway starts Mental Health First Aid Training

4-H is about more than farm animals

Written by archive on March 27, 2017. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

Many people, when asked what 4-H is, immediately come to one conclusion: farm animals.

Though much of 4-H is about animal science and livestock, there is a world beyond these areas of focus that truly makes 4-H shine.

For instance:

It is the largest youth development program in the nation.
It focuses on teaching our children through hands-on learning and strives to make our youths productive and caring citizens.
Under the large umbrella term 4-H, we find over 50 different curriculum and project areas ranging from public speaking to environmental science to green engineering.

Projects serve more than one purpose. Children are learning a new specialty area, but they are also meeting new people and expanding their social skills. During school vacations, youths in our area can participate in day camps or attend overnight camps offered by 4-H.

Some of the many topics explored during day camps include sewing, canning, soap making, robotics and nutrition.

Overnight camps during the summer help our youths develop leadership skills, as well as meet other young people in our area.

So, though farm animals are a large part of what 4-H does, it is certainly not what defines this expansive organization.

For those interested in joining 4-H, there are several clubs available locally. Some of these clubs include vet science, dog specialties and archery.

We are always looking for individuals willing to donate their time to become club leaders and start new 4-H clubs for our youth.

Contact me at vgraham@co.okaloosa.fl.us or 689-5850 for details on becoming a volunteer or starting a new club in a project area that has yet to be explored in our area.

Veronica Graham is the 4-H Program Assistant for Okaloosa County.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4-H is about more than farm animals

Use tax diversification to help manage retirement income

Written by archive on March 27, 2017. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

You need to save and invest as much as possible to pay for the retirement lifestyle you've envisioned. But your retirement income also depends, to a certain degree, on how your retirement funds are taxed.

And that's why you may be interested in tax diversification.

To understand the concept of tax diversification, you'll need to be familiar with how two of the most important retirement-savings vehicles — an IRA and a 401(k) — are taxed. Essentially, these accounts can be classified as either "traditional" or "Roth."

When you invest in a traditional IRA or 401(k), your contributions may be tax- deductible and your earnings can grow tax deferred. With a Roth IRA or 401(k), your contributions are not deductible, but your distributions can potentially be tax- free, provided you meet certain conditions. (Keep in mind, though, that to contribute to a Roth IRA, you can't exceed designated income limits. Also, not all employers offer the Roth option for 401(k) plans.)

Of course, "tax-free" sounds better than "tax deferred," so you might think that a Roth option is always going to be preferable. But that's not necessarily the case. If you think your tax bracket will be lower in retirement than when you were working, a traditional IRA or 401(k) might be a better choice, due to the cumulative tax deductions you took at a higher tax rate. But if your tax bracket will be the same, or higher, during retirement, then the value of tax-free distributions from a Roth IRA or 401(k) may outweigh the benefits of the tax deductions you'd get from a traditional IRA or 401(k).

So making the choice between "traditional" and "Roth" could be tricky. But here's the good news: You don't necessarily have to choose, at least not with your IRA. That's because you may be able to contribute to both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, assuming you meet the Roth's income guidelines. This allows you to benefit from both the tax deductions of the traditional IRA and the potential tax-free distributions of the Roth IRA.

And once you retire, this "tax diversification" can be especially valuable. Why? Because when you have money in different types of accounts, you gain flexibility in how you structure your withdrawals — and this flexibility can help you potentially increase the amount of your after-tax disposable income.

If you have a variety of accounts, with different tax treatments, you could decide to first make your required withdrawals (from a traditional IRA and 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan), followed, in order, by withdrawals from your taxable investment accounts, your tax-deferred accounts and, finally, your tax-free accounts.

Keep in mind, though, that you may need to vary your actual sequence of withdrawals from year to year, depending on your tax situation.

For example, it might make sense to change the order of withdrawals, or take withdrawals from multiple accounts, to help reduce taxes and avoid moving into a different tax bracket.

Clearly, tax diversification can be beneficial.

So after consulting with your tax and financial advisors, consider ways of allocating your retirement plan contributions to provide the flexibility you need to maximize your income during your retirement years.

Edward Jones wrote this article for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Use tax diversification to help manage retirement income

DID YOU KNOW?

850.682.6524