One of my all-time favorite bears in children’s literature is “Corduroy” by Don Freeman. 

If you haven’t read how this bear finds a friend, a treasure awaits.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LIBRARIAN'S PICK: 'Curduroy' by Don Freeman

We’re going on a bear hunt! In addition to the bear hunt, we will read some stories and treat our bears to a Teddy Bear Tea.

The hunt starts at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Registration is recommended as eight spots were left as of Jan. 19. Call 682-4432 or come in to register.

To participate, someone in the registered party must be ages 3 to 14. Attendees may wear modest pajamas, and bring a teddy bear, flashlight and six cookies to share. It would help if the cookies are individually wrapped.

The hunt will end about 7:15 p.m. Thanks to the Friends of the Crestview Library for helping to make this Family Library Time free for attendees.

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

UPCOMING

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Library sets teddy bear hunt

MARY ESTHER — Okaloosa Saves and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will host the 2017 Eco-Nomic Living Expo.

The event — set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at Santa Rosa Mall, 300 Mary Esther Blvd. — offers information on how residents can make smart choices for their money, home, health and environment. It is free to attend.

Activities includes seminars, kids' activities and exhibits from financial institutions, green or sustainable businesses and builders, fitness and healthcare organizations and utility companies, among others.

Free tax preparation — for area residents with annual income under $53,505 — will be available, as will document shredding, piggy bank challenges for children and businesses, and prizes and giveaways.

Call the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences extension office, 689-5850, or go to http://economiclivingexpo.com/ for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Saves sets economic expo

As you save and invest for retirement, what are your ultimate goals? Do you plan on traveling the world? Purchasing a vacation home? Pursuing your hobbies?

People often think and plan for these costs. Yet, too often, many of us overlook what potentially could be a major expense during our retirement years: health care.

By preparing for these costs, you can help yourself enjoy the retirement lifestyle you've envisioned.

Many of us may ignore the impact of health care costs because we just assume Medicare will pay for everything. But that's not the case. In estimating health care costs during retirement, you may find that $4,000 to $6,000 per year per person for traditional medical expenses is a good starting point, although the amount varies by individual.

Furthermore, this figure does not include the costs of long-term care, which can be considerable. To illustrate: The national average for home health aide services is about $45,000 per year, and a private room in a nursing home is about $84,000 per year, according to a recent survey by Genworth, a financial security company.

So what can you do to help cope with these costs? Here are a few suggestions:

•Estimate your costs. Try to estimate what your out-of-pocket health care costs might be, based on your health, your age at retirement, whatever supplemental insurance you may carry and other factors.

•Know the key dates. Things can change in your life, but try to identify, as closely as possible, the age at which you plan to retire. This will help you spot any coverage gaps before you become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Also, be aware of the seven-month window for enrolling in Medicare, beginning three months before your 65th birthday.

•Review your insurance options. Medicare-approved insurance companies offer some other parts to Medicare, including Part D, which covers prescription drugs; Medigap, which covers gaps in Parts A and B (in-hospital expenses, doctor services, outpatient care and some preventive services); and Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage, which is designed to replace Parts A, B, Medigap and, potentially, part D). You have several options for Part D, Medigap and Medicare Advantage, each with varying coverage and costs, so choose the plans that best fit your needs. (To learn more about Medicare and supplemental insurance, go to www.medicare.gov.)

•Develop a long-term care strategy. To meet long-term care costs, you could self-insure or purchase insurance coverage. To learn about long-term care insurance solutions, contact your financial advisor.

•Invest for growth and rising income. Health care costs typically rise as you move further into retirement, so make sure that a reasonable portion of your assets is allocated to investments with the potential for both growth and rising income.

•Think about health care directives. If you were to become incapacitated, you might be unable to make health care decisions — and these decisions may affect not only your quality of life but also your financial situation, and that of your family. Talk to your legal advisor about establishing a health care directive, which allows you to name someone to make choices on your behalf.

Health care costs during your retirement may be unavoidable. But by anticipating these costs, you can put yourself in a position to deal with them — and that's a healthy place to be.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Prepare for health care costs during retirement

Remember last summer’s hot, dry days and grass drying up and turning brown? Yet, weeds were green and doing fine. Those weeds flourished and dispersed seed everywhere. Now, they are just sitting there ready to sprout again.

It's time to start thinking about weed prevention. Every herbicide label warns against application when temperatures are above 85 degrees and especially under drought conditions. Pre-emergent herbicides must be applied before seed germination.

Late winter is the time to focus on summer annual weeds. The narrow window for application is challenging. Homeowners often wait too late into spring to put out preventive products.

A general rule of thumb for pre-emergent herbicide timing is Feb. 15 through March 1 in North Florida. However, weed seeds germinate in response to soil temperature, not calendar dates.

By monitoring daytime temperatures, one can determine a more effective application date. When there are four to five consecutive days that reach 65 to 70 degrees, weeds will germinate. This generally coincides with the first blooms appearing on azaleas and dogwoods. With a warm winter, it may occur as early as mid-January.

Some active ingredients in pre-emergent herbicides include dithiopyr, isoxaben, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine and simazine. Always read the label for the specific weed controlled and observe all directions, restrictions and precautions.

Weed and feed products that contain nitrogen are not suitable as pre-emergent herbicides. Irrigation is necessary before and after an application to activate these products. The chemical binds to soil particles, creating a barrier that remains effective for six to 12 weeks. Reapplication will be necessary for season-long control, especially with constantly fluctuating winter temperatures.

Now is the time to purchase pre-emergent herbicides and prepare to apply them. Go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep141 for more information on weed control in lawns.

Sheila Dunning 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: Plan to reduce summer weeds

CAREER SOURCE CRESTVIEW VISITS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 25, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive.

CRESTVIEW JOB FAIR: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 25, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Companies at the Career Source Okaloosa Walton fair include Waffle House; IQor; Lowe’s; ResortQuest; Walton and Okaloosa County Department of Corrections; Waste Management; Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Son Shine Companion Care. Job seekers should be interview-ready and dressed for success.

FLORIDA CHAUTAUQUA: Jan. 26-29, DeFuniak Springs. Features classes, exhibits, guest speakers, living history presentations and activities. The first day's registration is noon to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 26, FC Headquarters, 1290 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. Tickets range from $10 per event to $120 for all-inclusive passport, available at headquarters. Schedule: www.floridachautauquaassembly.org. 892-7613.

FREE STORYTELLING SESSION: 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 28, Open House Childcare Network, 4798 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview.

ECO-NOMIC LIVING EXPO: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11, Santa Rosa Mall, 300 Mary Esther Blvd., Mary Esther. Free to attend. Learn about products and services available to make smart choices for your money, home, health and environment at this Okaloosa Saves and University of Florida extension event. Sponsors and vendor signups available until Jan. 27. 689-5850.

‘GRIT AND GRACE’ CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH BENEFIT: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 11, 676 Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs. "Grit and Grace" is a 501(c)(3) organization, the official folk life production of Walton County, Florida. Tickets cost $50 per person and proceeds benefit the organization. Includes a tour of the 1904 home and an hour-long walking tour of its district. Tickets available at The Prissy Hen and Emerald Coast Flowers and Gifts in Freeport; by phone, 259-4317; and at National Tire Brokers, After Glow Salon, The Nook and Cranny and The Book Store in North Walton, among other locations. Details: 270-7008.

MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY: 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, March 13 and April 10, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Guitarist Jose Diaz will perform. Call 682-4432 to schedule a performance date.

VAN PORTER STUDENT ART SHOW AND RECEPTION: Show, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays Feb. 21 through March 3, Arts and Design Society Art Center, 17 First St. SE, Fort Walton Beach. Reception, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Art Center. The show highlights art created by Okaloosa County eighth- and 12th-graders. Details: 244-1271, http://artsdesignsociety.org/.

MARDI GRAS GOLF SCRAMBLE: 9 a.m. Feb. 25, Shalimar Pointe Golf Club, 302 County Club Road, Shalimar. Four-person scramble. Camaraderie, festive Mardi Gras theme, raffles, silent auctions, lunch and door prizes. Sponsorship registrations due Feb. 15. Player registration due Feb. 21. Cost: $65 per person or $250 per four-person team. RSVP: www.heritage-museum.org. 678-2615; Barbara Palmgren, chairperson, 974-1910; or Fred Boyer, 582-4417. Benefits Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.

COIN SHOW: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26, The Meridian at Westwood, 1001 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach. Event includes several vendors of numismatic coins, currency, gold and silver bullion. Free to attend. Every attendee will get a free coin courtesy of the Fort Walton Beach Coin Club.

CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB EXHIBITION: 10 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m. Fridays through Feb. 25, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. CPC members' favorite photos are on display.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

REVIEW COMMITTEE: 9 a.m. Jan. 30, Brackin Building, Suite 300, 302 N. Wilson St., Crestview. The committee will review and discuss the proposals that were submitted in reference to Request for Proposal HR 07-17.

OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOPS: 1:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 26, April 25, May 30 and June 27, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway Shalimar.

REVIEW COMMITTEE: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 2, Visitors Center Main Conference Room, 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. It will review and consider submittals for the Request for Proposal TDD 10-17, Destination Lodging Bookings Data Services for Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department.

OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:

• 8:30 a.m. Feb. 7, Crestview City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
• 8:30 a.m. Feb. 21, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway Shalimar.
• 8:30 a.m. March 7, Crestview City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
• 8:30 a.m. March 21, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway Shalimar.

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. first Thursdays, Baker Area Public Safety Building.

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

OKALOOSA-WALTON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION: 3 p.m. third Thursdays, Niceville Community Center, 204 N. Partin Drive. Call 1-800-226-8914 ext. 231 to confirm.

NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in North Okaloosa County

UPCOMING

CRESTVIEW CHAMBER AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. Jan. 25, Stay Suites of America, 3709 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Open to the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce and their employees. Details: Richard Harless, ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: Upcoming events, for ages 4 and up at the Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive, are as follows:

●6:30-7:15 p.m. Jan. 26, Crestview library. Bear hunt for ages 4 and up. Wear pajamas and bring a teddy bear, flashlight and six cookies to share. Limited to first 30 children; registration recommended.

●6:30-7:15 p.m. Feb. 21, Pelican Pickers performance.

●6:30-7:15 p.m. March 21, Beekeeping with Bundrick Honey Farms.

●6:30-7:15 p.m. April 18, Nonie's Ark visit. Registration limited to first 30 children ages 4 and up.

GENEALOGY SOCIETY OF OKALOOSA COUNTY: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 28, Fort Walton Beach Library, 185 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Hank Klein presents, "The Civil War in Walton County." Details: Val Moreland, 243-0352, www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flocgs.

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Topics are: Jan. 31, Clothing; Feb. 7, Eye Care; Feb. 14, Valentines; Feb. 28, African Tales; March 7, Farm to Table; March 14, In Our Garden; March 28, Flying High; April 4 and 11, Easter; April 25, Environmental Center Field Trip; May 2 and 9, Praiseworthy Parents.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF OKALOOSA FEDERATED: 11:30 a.m. Feb. 1, Wyndham Garden Hotel, 573 Santa Rosa Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson will give an update on what is happening within the school system, and answer attendees' questions. To RSVP by Jan. 28, contact Donna Pattison, 651-5416 or donnapattison@cox.net. Cost: $18 for members, $20 for guests. www.rwof.org.

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Thursdays and 9:15 a.m. Fridays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Limited to 30 children per class. Topics are: Feb. 2-3 and 9-10, Baby Love; Feb. 16-17 and 23-24, Birthdays; March 2-3 and 9-10, Chicks and Ducklings; March 16-17, Growing and Gardening; March 23-24 and 30-31, Animal Sounds; April 6-7 and 13, Spring and Easter; April 20-21 and 27, Wildlife; May 4-5 and 11-12, Praiseworthy Parents.

MAC USERS GROUP: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Northwest Florida State College Student Services Center, Room 130. “Best Mac Browser: Safari vs. Chrome” will be presented by Matthew Pace, CEO/owner of Pace PC Solutions and an Apple Certified Associate. Pace will help you decide who wins the title of best Mac browser — Apple’s Safari or Google’s Chrome. Attendees should bring their Mac devices. Details: FWBMug.com or Jean Dutton, 862-3327 or jeancdutton@mac.com

FLORIDA PEANUT PRODUCERS MEMBERSHIP MEETING: 6 p.m. Feb. 16, Jackson County Agriculture Conference Center, 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna. Includes updates on funded association activities; starts with registration. Smoked steak dinner is at 6:30 p.m. All members and spouses may attend. The association represents Florida's peanut growers in research, promotion and education.

RECURRING

WEDNESDAYS

CRESTVIEW KIWANIS CLUB: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

KNITTING GROUP: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W, Crestview.

SENIOR SOCIAL: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship. See Facebook page for details.

SONS OF ITALY, CRESTVIEW CHAPTER 2865: 6 p.m. third Wednesdays, Foxwood Country Club, Antioch Road. All people of American-Italian heritage may join. Group president Thomas Hughes, 682-3597, thomasjhughessr@hotmail.com.

THURSDAYS

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Crosspoint, in portable 2, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway, Crestview. For people grieving the death of a loved one or other losses. 678-4411 extension 109.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, 704 E. Robinson Ave., Crestview. 689-1842.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 or email okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com to report incidents.

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING: 7 a.m. first Thursdays, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB meets 5:15 p.m. every first and third Thursday at Samuel's Roadhouse off John King Road. Details: BJ Thomhave at Foxwood Country Club, 682-2012.

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF CRESTVIEW: 5:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

FLYING NEEDLES QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Thursdays at Niceville Church of Christ. Visitors and quilters are welcome.

NORTH OKALOOSA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Live Oak Baptist Church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. Call 398-7524 for details.

MAINSTREET CRESTVIEW ASSOCIATION: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, City Hall, 502 Wilson St., Crestview. Group improves and promotes Main Street and Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency businesses.

CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, Knights of Columbus Hall, 701 James Lee Blvd. E., Crestview. For amateur through professional photographers. https://www.facebook.com/CrestviewPhotoClub/ or contact MSgt. Jayly Jackson, jayly.jackson@us.af.mil.

CRESTVIEW EXCHANGE CLUB: fourth Thursdays, Covenant Hospice, Crestview. Sharlene Cox, 682-6824.

FRIDAYS

STEAK NIGHT: 6 p.m. first Fridays. American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Cost: $15 per person; includes T-bone steak, baked potato, salad, bread and dessert. 689-3195.

SATURDAYS

TEEN WII: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Wii playing for students in sixth through 12th grades.

ADULT/FAMILY NIGHT: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship.

KARAOKE: 8 p.m. Saturdays, American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. 689-3195.

READ TO DOZER: 10-11 a.m. first Saturdays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. For children ages 4 and up.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP: 11 a.m. first Saturdays, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Anyone may attend to inquire about the craft. 678-2615.

THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF OKALOOSA COUNTY: 10 a.m. second Saturdays, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Martha Trau, 259-4351.

GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION: 9 a.m. to eat and 10 a.m. meeting third Saturdays of the month, Ryan's restaurant, Crestview. Dwayne Hopkins, 217-1001. All motorcyclists are welcome.

VFW HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT: 12 p.m. third Saturdays, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450, 2240 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Lynn Mobley, 682-5552.

MONDAYS

YOUTH NIGHT: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or fellowship.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. Mondays, the clubhouse at 704 Robinson St., Crestview, for beginners and newcomers. Details: Jerry, 830-6218. www.fwb-area-aa.org.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays, September through May, location to be announced. Details: 683-0839, 902-1899.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Yearly membership: $20.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

HELP OTHER PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: 6 p.m. third Mondays at Community of Christ, Crestview.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. fourth Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Sit-n-sew and workshop meeting.

THE OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: fourth Mondays. info@occsw.org.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

TUESDAYS

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY:

●8 a.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview. Mary Cole, 683-1899.

●6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, First UMC fellowship hall, Crestview. Brooke Bratton, 225-8197. www.TOPS.org.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft.

CRESTVIEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO: Quarterly games 4:30-6 p.m.; regular games 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday at 701 James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

BAKER GARDEN CLUB: 10 a.m. first Tuesdays September through May at different locations. Liz Davis, 537-4512.

OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP: 1 p.m. first Tuesdays, Wellness Center at Twin Cities Hospital, Niceville. A Registered Nurse is present, and meetings include details of specialty care and product innovations that may be helpful. Details: 389-7071.

CARVER-HILL MEMORIAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 5:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

OPEN MIC POETRY AT THE LIBRARY: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free event. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; Rick Sanders, 585-6399. Read poetry or play music. http://cvwlibrary.tumblr.com/.

SHOAL RIVER REPUBLICAN CLUB: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays of each month at Hideaway Pizza in downtown Crestview.

CRESTVIEW TOASTMASTERS: 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Greater Federation of Women's Club building, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: Kathy Morrow, 974-3662.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 395: 5:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Carver-Hill Museum, 895 S. McClelland St., Crestview. Cmdr. Raymond Nelson, 420-0706.

NORTH OKALOOSA PATRIOTS: 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 150 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Crestview. www.panhandlepatriots.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County clubs and organizations calendar

CRESTVIEW — Not all people crochet sweaters or fuzzy socks. Some Northwest Florida residents use plastic bags to make sleeping mats for the homeless.

Debbie Barberee organized a group of volunteers to do just that about three months ago after visiting Tennessee, where she met a group crocheting shopping bags into mats. She decided to bring the practice to DeFuniak Springs.

Completed mats are 3 feet wide, 6 feet long and require about 700 bags to make. Barberee and the volunteers have made about 10 so far, but their goal is 213 by October. Police agencies in Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville will receive the mats for distribution to the homeless.

The mats are soft to the touch and can be washed using a hose. The design also features a handle and tie straps, allowing people to roll and carry them.

Volunteers need 150,000 bags to meet their goal; "It's a big goal but once the word gets out more, we should be able to do it," Barberee said.

seven area locations are designated drop spots for people to recycle their plastic bags. In addition to personal donations, businesses also have provided bags.

Barberee’s Facebook page to raise awareness for the effort has about 250 members, and she has found volunteers beyond social media. Walton High School, for example, collects the bags and some students assist in the assembly for community service. Area Girl Scouts have also helped make the mats.

So, how does a plastic bag used for groceries and shopping sprees become a soft sleeping mat?

The process starts by straightening the bags and laying them out. Volunteers then cut the bags into strips and connect them to make a long, single strand. These strands are rolled into a ball, called a 'plarn', and resemble a regular ball of yarn. From there, the bags are crocheted into a completed mat.

Barberee has been crocheting since she was 10 years old — and now offers instructional videos on YouTube — but volunteers needn’t be skilled crocheters to join the action; they don’t even have to crochet. Help is also needed for collecting, cutting, attaching and rolling the bags before they are assembled into the final product.

Somebody in the group can teach anyone wanting to learn how to crochet, Barberee said.

A group that crochets plastic shopping bags into sleeping mats for the homeless has four weekly meetings:

Mondays: 10 a.m. at Hardee’s in Fort Walton Beach

Tuesdays (except the second Tuesday): 10 a.m. at Hardee’s in Crestview

Wednesdays: 11 a.m. at Pizza Hut in DeFuniak Springs

Second Tuesday of the month: 8 a.m. at Mossy Head Community Center

Most meetings last about two hours, but volunteers can come and go as they please. The Mossy Head meeting lasts until 3 p.m.

Visit www.facebook.com/groups/CrochetedMatsForHomeless for more information on the group, volunteering and how to donate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crocheting for the homeless

CRESTVIEW — The Fantazia Circus of Brazil is coming to Crestview for a one-time performance.

The entertainment begins 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Spanish Trail amphitheater, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

"It's one hour and 45 minutes of show, fun for the whole family, Jeane Ybarra, Fantazia spokesperson, said. "We have acrobats, jugglers, flying trapeze, unicycles, clowns and a dog act."

Concessions such as popcorn, snow cones and hot dogs will be available for purchase. Attendees may also enjoy activities such as face painting and a moon bounce on site.

The circus will be held indoors, rain or shine.

Tickets are available on site one hour before showtime. Adult admission includes one free child's ticket for $15, and tickets are $7 per child after that. Admission is free for children age 11 and younger.

Two other Northwest Florida performances include a 7 p.m. Jan. 17 performance in DeFuniak Springs and a 7 p.m. Jan. 20 performance in Milton.

See https://www.facebook.com/circusfantazia/ or http://www.circusfantazia.com/ for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Circus comes to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A Facebook post requesting birthday wishes for Jennifer Warren gained the attention of hundreds. Now, the bullied student has a level of support that, her family said, seemed lacking from the Okaloosa County School District. 

Jennifer, who turned 12 years old Jan. 6, endured several months of bullying from classmates; it all started in October, according to her father, Joseph Warren.

Peers teased the child’s physical appearance and chased her until she was out of breath, she said.

The school counselor was visited “four or five times,” Jennifer said about the bullying. She was given a letter to take home and told the only thing to do was continue reporting any incidents.

Warren spoke with the school’s assistant principal in October but was told the situation was not considered bullying. After Jennifer had a breakdown over the winter break, Warren again spoke to the assistant principal and the principal. Again, the situation was unresolved.

“There are always two sides to the story and I have heard both sides,” Okaloosa County Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson said in an email to Warren. “I fully trust the principal and assistant principal at our school and I feel they have investigated this situation fully.”

“There must be a repeated pattern,” Jackson added in the email.

Jackson — whom the News Bulletin could not immediately reach for comment — offered her approval to transfer Jennifer to a different school if the family desired. The family agreed to withdraw her from the school, but opted instead for homeschooling.

“Bullying needs to be dealt with and I have never heard about ‘a repeated pattern’ (requirement) but it's probably how administration has structured their punishment system,” said Matt Rooney, an elementary school teacher in a neighboring district.

He believed the school’s handling of the situation is “weird” but said such processes are managed on a school-by-school basis, which could account for its replies to the Warren family.

Jennifer’s situation shifted when her sister, Tiffany Price, posted to Facebook about the bullying and asked friends if they could send a birthday card. The post went viral, receiving hundreds of comments, reactions and shares.

Strong community feedback from similar social media posts prompted Price to tell her sister's story, she said. Facebook users have offered prayers, birthday wishes and pen pal offerings. In addition, others have shared their own experiences with bullying.

So far, Jennifer has received dozens of cards from people as far away as Guatemala, she said. However, it's not just cards being mailed. People sent flowers, gifts and offered celebrations. A local family hosted a birthday party for Jennifer and local photographer Kelli Marles had a photo shoot for the birthday girl.

Even non-locals visited Jennifer for her birthday. Members of the Niceville High School football team and band personally delivered gifts to her and stuck around for conversation and crafting. They talked to her about their personal experiences with bullies and how they overcame them.

Warren said the community’s response has made a positive impact on a negative situation. He’s seen his daughter regain confidence and self-esteem.

Bullied children need to seek help as soon as possible, Price said. And when help isn't given, "go higher," she said. Price believes all kids should be taught respect and compassion instead of the concepts of "toughening up" and violence.

Jennifer, a “Star Wars” fan, said she wants to move to Europe when she finishes school to possibly pursue modeling — if NASA doesn’t work out, of course.

She believes homeschooling is an opportunity to try something new and didn’t seem too concerned about the change.

As for all the support she’s received?

“Thank you,” she said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bullied student receives birthday letters, gifts from around the world