Have you ever wondered how to drastically lower your cell phone service, the best time to buy a car (the last day of the month when dealers are trying to meet their bonus quotas), or how to get cash for a gift card you'll never use?

David Pogue — a former technology columnist for The New York Times, current Yahoo Tech writer and Scientific American columnist — has compiled another small treasure of helpful hints for the average consumer with his latest, "Pogue's Basics: Money."

Like his previous books, "Pogue's Basics: Life" and "Pogue's Basics," you will find a plethora of hints that cover all aspects of life that will help you save money, use technology, and simplify your life, in general. Each tip is broken into small sections written in an entertaining style. Pogue gives the reader reputable websites and also the ones to avoid.

All three titles are available for checkout at the Crestview Public Library.

Marie Heath is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pogue's latest book focuses on money

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this week in Northwest Florida

Financial exploitation costs older Americans billions of dollars per year, according to several sources, including the National Council on Aging. If you have older parents, could they be vulnerable to financial scams and rip-off artists?

And, if so, what can you do to help protect them? Unfortunately, it is possible for anyone to become a victim. For a variety of reasons, older adults may be easier targets than younger people. And that is why, when interacting with your parents, you should look for these warning signs:

•Suspicious new relationships – If your parent mentions something about a new friend, a romantic partner or some type of caregiver who seems to have taken a great interest in your parent's financial situation, you may have reason to be suspicious. Do not be afraid to ask some questions.

•Multiple checks written to same person or entity – If you think your parents may be making questionable financial moves, ask to see their checkbook. If you see several checks written to an unfamiliar person or business, you might be viewing evidence of a financial scam. If so, you will want to intercede before your parents get victimized again.

•Changing power of attorney or beneficiaries – If your parents suddenly decide to name someone new as their "agent" (the person responsible for carrying out a power of attorney), you may need to investigate. And the same is true if your parents change the beneficiary designation on their investment accounts or insurance policies.

•Unusual urgency to make an investment – If you learn that your parents want to make some type of investment "immediately," you should be concerned. No reputable financial professional would ever pressure them – or anyone else – to "act now" on an investment.

Apart from watching out for the above signs of trouble, what else can you do to help guard your parents from fraudsters?

For starters, urge your parents – repeatedly, if necessary – to never give out personal information over the phone or online. Scammers have gotten quite clever at impersonating legitimate businesses or organizations – for example, unless you are looking closely at the email, you might think the logo of a bank or another com-

pany is being accurately depicted. Again, though, reputable businesses typically don't send messages that are demanding, threatening or otherwise employing some type of extreme language.

Also, stress to your parents that they should never wire money to a random account. Plus, remind them about the truth of "no risk" offers: Any financial offer that sounds too good to be true is just that – untrue. Every legitimate investment carries both risks and rewards. Here's another suggestion: Older adults who have debt problems may be especially vulnerable to offers that claim to "clear up" all their debts. But there's no quick fix to this problem, and any caller who claims otherwise is likely being deceitful.

Encourage your parents to discuss their debt situation with an honest, professional debt counselor or a financial advisor. Finally, if your parents don't already work with a trusted, qualified financial professional, introduce them to one. Your parents worked hard all their lives. Do what you can to help them enjoy their "golden years" in dignity.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Help protect older adults from financial abuse

An innovative, research-based approach to fertilizer best management practices is to apply fertilizers considering the "4Rs" – right rate, right time, right place, and right source.

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept was developed by the International Plant Nutrition Institute to educate farmers, extension workers, researchers, decision-makers and anyone else interested in plant nutrient management.

The 4Rs are listed below.

Right rate

The right rate is determined by evaluating several factors and environmental conditions. We should always start with a soil test to determine current plant available nutrient levels in the soil. The University of Florida Food and Agricultural Sciences fertilizer recommendation is based on the plant available nutrients in the soil and the plant nutrient demand.

Right time

Nutrients should be applied when plants are actively taking up nutrients from the soil. This is dependent on plant species, variety and planting date. Also, predictable weather patterns affect the timing of fertilizer applications. Periods of high rainfall should be avoided because nutrient leaching losses will be higher. Split applications of fertilizers are best to decrease nutrient losses.

Also, predictable weather patterns affect the timing of fertilizer applications. Periods of high rainfall should be avoided because nutrient leaching losses will be higher. Split applications of fertilizers are best to decrease nutrient losses.

Right place

The goal of fertilization is to optimize the number of nutrients that are available to the plant in the root zone and to decrease nutrient losses due to leaching.

Right source

The goal is choosing a source that will provide plant available nutrients when the plants are actively taking up nutrients, while decreasing nutrient losses to the environment. Nutrients include macronutrients and micronutrients.

Balanced nutrients should be applied to meet the crop demands. Sources include ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, urea, controlled-release products such as polymer-coated urea, and slow-release products such as biosolids and manures.

Contact the Okaloosa County Extension Office at 689-5850 if you have questions regarding fertilization of your lawn, pasture, or garden. We will be happy to help you apply the 4Rs to your home or farm.

Jennifer Bearden is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The four Rs of fertilization

CRESTVIEW — The American Legion Post 75 in Crestview hosted its first car show on Saturday. 

Organizer Juan Hernandez has hosted similar events at a post in Georgia and hopes to hold the event twice per year in Crestview.

Almost 20 vehicles were part of the event and on display for several awards. Competition categories included people's choice, kid's favorite and fellow vendor's choice. 

The next car show will be held during Labor Day weekend, according to Hernandez.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: American Legion hosts first semi-annual car show in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview woman is offering a $100 reward for the safe return of a dog.

Oreo, a 13-week-old miniature pincher, apparently escaped under the fence of a Wind Trace Road home, right off Old Bethel Road, around 11 a.m. Saturday.

"She dug her way out from under the fence in our backyard," Sofi Delahoz said.

The dog belongs to her 12-year-old son and was his birthday gift, according to Delahoz.

If you know Oreo’s whereabouts, call 357-6476. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Birthday’ puppy missing in Crestview; reward offered

CRESTVIEW — The city has received initial plans for its first Chick-fil-A location.

The fast-food chain will move into the former Ryan’s Steakhouse site at 3000 S. Ferdon Blvd. A new 87-space parking lot will accompany the nearly 5,000-square-foot building and feature an improved entry and exit, as well as bus parking.

Drivers leaving the former Ryan’s location could make a right or left turn out on Mirage Avenue, leading to South Ferdon Boulevard — Chick-fil-A plans to change that.

The existing entrance/exit will be modified to permit only left turns from the restaurant. This will feed into a proposed turnaround at Mirage Avenue and Crosson Street, according to Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard.

The lot will also feature one-way driving to better manage traffic flow around the restaurant. Current plans depict 90-degree parking spaces but these will be modified in later plans to be angled spots, Gaillard said. Angled spaces will make parking in the one-way lanes easier.

The restaurant will have 157 seats and a 31-car drive-thru but little else is known about the building’s design. Architectural planning is one of the later stages of the permitting and construction process and Chick-fil-A has not reached that stage.

The franchise is pending a meeting with the Technical Review Committee to discuss its current plans proposal, according to Gaillard. The TRC will review the plans and make suggestions to ensure it meets city requirements or needs.

Approval by the TRC sends the plans for a recommendation from the Local Planning Agency and finally for approval from City Council.

The company could receive all of the go-aheads by the end of May based on meeting dates for all these departments. No timeline on construction or opening has been established, according to Gaillard.

It’s not yet known how many jobs will be created from the opening.

A call to Chick-fil-A public relations was unanswered and voicemail unreturned at time of publication.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Early plans detail Chick-fil-A

CRESTVIEW — Retail Strategies presented a retail recruitment and area assessment to the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency on Thursday.

The company gave an overview of its findings during the first phase of helping Crestview lure retail and restaurant establishments to the area.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

The CRA hired Retail Strategies in October to study Crestview’s viability for new businesses. The firm is a liaison between cities, retail establishments and developers with a goal to connect businesses that can best integrate into the community.

A common misconception is that city leaders dictate what businesses open in the area. However, the respective companies decide what market to move to and groups like Retail Strategies help provide the city with tools to gain those businesses’ attention.

The group spent several months collecting data on Crestview and generated over 23,000 metric variables to interpret.

“Why can’t we get a Target?” is a primary question asked around town. The short answer is that it’s not likely to happen in the immediate future due to Target’s current business plans.

That’s not to say the city has little hope for development.

“The data we’ve looked over and the feedback we’ve received from potential retail outlets has been great,” Portfolio Director Scott vonCannon said.

Retail Strategies has identified about 100 companies that could integrate and succeed in Crestview. He didn’t wish to discuss specific businesses publicly due to the nature of negotiations and the fear of rumor spreading before deals are made.

Councilman and CRA Board Member Bill Cox cited multiple pieces of data compiled by Retail Strategies that he believed might be outdated or skewed, such as the average household property value and income.

vonCannon was open to discuss the matters with the board at a later time but didn’t directly address where those discrepancies might have arisen from.

The data has a margin of error between 3 and 4 percent, according to vonCannon, but potential miscalculations identified by Cox far exceed that amount.

WHAT CAN CRESTVIEW LURE?

“[Target] is looking for a higher range and income in the trade area,” vonCannon said.

The trade area is compiled by using mobile location data to determine how far people will travel for goods or services.

Walmart, for example, not only draws from the Crestview population but other surrounding areas. Using this location data, Retail Strategies was able to compile a “trade area” population that a potential retailer can pull from.

Crestview’s trade area is just under 90,000 people, but it’s expected to grow within the next five years. Target looks for a trade area of about 200,000-250,000, according to vonCannon.

The company is also shifting from “big box” stores to smaller, urban developments in metropolitan cities.

The same can be said for other box department stores and sit-down restaurants like Red Lobster or Olive Garden.

MILLENNIAL-FRIENDLY TRENDS

“Some of these retailers are ones of the past,” vonCannon said. Those businesses have been in decline and store openings are rare, if happening at all.

What is growing are fast-casual dining locations (Moe’s, Panera, Firehouse Subs), specialty grocery stores that service a select community like organic or ethnic foods (Whole Foods, Aldi), apparel stores (Ross, Rue 21) and fitness clubs (LA Fitness, Pure Barre).

These industries adapted to more modern business models after the recession and the shift to majority millennial consumers, according to vonCannon. These forms of business will be more likely to move to Crestview and thrive.

Councilman and CRA Board Member Doug Faircloth expressed concern that the researchers were placing too much emphasis on vehicle counts in certain areas. These counts estimate the number of cars that pass a given area in a set time, typically a single day.

“Build it and they will come,” Faircloth said. “Maybe traffic count would increase if there was a retailer there.”

“Low vehicle counts increase the risk,” vonCannon said. “Not every retailer has the pull to bring vehicles like Walmart does. All it is to [developers and investors] is limiting risk.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

The next step, phase two, will be to execute recruitment of retailers and developers that data has determined to be feasible, for both the city and the respective company, according to vonCannon.

Retail Strategies now has the information it needs to approach these selected retailers through consultations and national real estate conferences to market Crestview, vonCannon said.

Each company has a different timeline for how long it takes to decide on a location, prepare plans, construct and open. The best-case scenario for any company is about six months, vonCannon said. However, the process is typically much slower.

“A company like Target might say, ‘We’re going to open 40 stores this year,’ and might have 1,000 cities that want one and fit their criteria,” vonCannon said. “They pick the 40 that are easiest for them to move into. Our goal is to put Crestview in that top list so when retailers do decide to open new locations, this is one of them.”

Retail Strategies will cost about $30,000 per year for continued services, which comes from the CRA annual budget.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview receives data, plans to lure businesses

CRESTVIEW — The sudden closure of Ryan’s Steakhouse meant more than finding a new place to eat for Crestview residents. About 50 people found themselves without a job and no notice, according to Brandon Sanchez. 

Sanchez, one of those people, was employed for 15 years with Ryan’s before the restaurant closed March 26.

“It was heartbreaking for most of us because it was our way of life, our way of providing for our families,” Sanchez said.  “I know I will be able to find another job eventually, but I feel bad for some of my older co-workers who will have a harder time trying to find something new.”

Sanchez said “corporate people” assured him that talk of the restaurant shutting down was just rumored. He first heard whispers of a closure about two months ago but said others heard them earlier than that.

Comments were made over one year ago on the News Bulletin’s social media accounts about Chick-fil-A taking over the location. Some people say those rumors have been going around even longer.

The company maintained its position of remaining open until the final weekend of operation. Employees learned of the closure March 25 — one day before its last in service — according to Sanchez.

Several other people made similar claims on the News Bulletin’s Facebook page and via Twitter but declined to be interviewed for this story.

“A lot of us feel betrayed by the company,” Sanchez said. “We all worked hard, every day for them, to be done this way.”

The Ryan’s closure also affected longtime customers of the establishment, like Brandon Brooks and his family. Brooks, along with his wife and four children, have been patrons of the Crestview Ryan’s for several years.

“To say I'm gonna miss the place would be an understatement,” Brooks said. “My 2-year-old twins say ‘Ryan's’ every time we ride by there — wanting to go in there and eat. How do we explain to 2-year-old twins that we can't go there anymore?”

The company did not respond to questions about how long they had planned to close their Crestview location. Instead, a spokesperson referenced an already distributed press release that said the closure was “a business decision” that did not reflect the staff or management.

Several restaurants were interested in the site leading up to the Ryan’s closure, according to Retail Strategies Retail Development Director Joe Strauss during a presentation to the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Chick-fil-A has since secured the property and is planning a rebuild for the location at 3000 S. Ferdon Blvd.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A lot of us feel betrayed'

CRESTVIEW — Girl Scout Troop 818 members created and donated eight Easter baskets for youths at Hope of Potential Empowerment House in Crestview.

Troop Leader Tresha Collins said the troop searched for an organization to help and Walker Elementary School's guidance counselor recommended the temporary youth shelter run by Lutheran Services Florida.

"When I called I asked if they had any organizations helping them out for any type of Easter celebration, the woman explained that they usually only receive help around Christmastime and not for the 'smaller' holidays," Collins said. "So I asked if we could sponsor and donate Easter baskets and she said yes."

The eight-bed facility provides temporary shelter to 10- to 17-year-olds in need and nonresidential counseling for ages 6 to 18.

HOPE staffers teach life skills to the youths and help them and their families improve communication with each other.

A volunteer delivered the Easter baskets March 24.

"The kids have not received them yet, of course, so we've had them hidden away," HOPE House administrative assistant Pam Harvell said. "We are always thankful and grateful for everything that we get.

“A lot of organizations donate money and other items to us."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Girl Scouts donate Easter baskets to youth shelter