CRESTVIEW — Speaking at the Gordon Martial Arts Jan. 6 advancement ceremony, Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor found similarities between the academy’s guiding tenets and those followed by his police officers.

The 120 students who were promoted to their next belt levels strictly observe a code of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.

“These are the same tenets police officers follow,” Taylor said.

Taylor soon discovered Gordon Martial Arts supporters follow a sixth tenet: generosity.

Following Taylor’s remarks, academy owner and internationally recognized Taekwondo master Thomas Gordon and his staff passed Taylor’s cap around the packed Crestview Community Center, soliciting donations at Taylor’s recommendation to C.O.P.S.— Concerns of Police Survivors.

Taylor explained that the charity provides financial and emotional support for families of slain law enforcement officers. He is a board member of the local Northwest Florida chapter, which has provided benefits to locally slain officers’ families, including those of OSCO Deputies Bill Myers, Tony Forgione, Burt Lopez and Skip York.

After Taylor’s cap made it around the hall, it was overflowing with $444.09 in donations.

“I knew it was a lot, but I wasn’t expecting this much,” Taylor said after the cash was counted. “We really appreciate Gordon Martial Arts’ generosity.”

“It’s what we do to thank our speakers,” Gordon said of the hat-passing tradition. “We don’t pay them, so this is what we do.”

Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope with the tragic loss. C.O.P.S. (Concerns Of Police Survivors) provides resources to help them rebuild their shattered lives. There is no membership fee to join

C.O.P.S., for the price paid is already too high.

C.O.P.S. was organized in 1984 with 110 individual members. Today membership is over 37,000 survivors including spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others, and affected co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty.

C.O.P.S. is governed by a national board of law enforcement survivors. All programs and services are administered by the national office in Camdenton, Missouri. C.O.P.S. has more than 50 chapters nationwide, including a Northwest Florida one, that work with survivors at

the grass-roots level. For information about the local C.O.P.S. chapter, contact Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor, 682-3544 or taylort@crestviewpd.org.

Source: www.NationalCOPS.org

What is COPS?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ceremony raises funds for slain officers' families

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

CRESTVIEW — Sharing and Caring is an emergency food pantry that provides food and hygiene supplies to those in need, and it’s been doing so since 1990.

The pantry — located at 298 Martin Luther King Ave., in Crestview — relies on donations and support from local churches and the United Way to supply non-perishable goods, bread, baby food and formula, meats and limited hygiene items.

Sharing and Caring helped 13,072 families in 2016, according to its former president Robin Marston. She spent over nine years operating the center and said she’s seen rising needs during that time.

Families can receive one order per month; the homeless can receive an order every two weeks. Homeless individuals receive an extra order per month because they often have limited space and inability to store some food, Marston said. The products and amounts S&C gives out vary based on the number of family members.

The food at S&C is secured through product donations by local churches, individuals and the United Way. Monetary donations to the food bank are used to purchase additional food. Hygiene items and products such as laundry powder are only available if they are donated to S&C, as the organization doesn’t purchase these items.

At least five churches partner with the food bank, according to Marston. However, more churches make occasional donations when able.

Publix also offers food donations and allows S&C to order bulk items through its food vendor and pick up items upon delivery. This makes large purchases easier for S&C and Publix, Marston said.

Sharing and Caring doesn’t offer clothing, shelter, monetary assistance or meal services (such as a soup kitchen), but Marston said volunteers can refer those in need to other outlets. Occasionally, S&C volunteers have offered budgeting advice to families regarding food, but it’s not the food bank’s primary function, Marston said.

Signs hung in the food bank’s waiting room detail Crestview’s various shelters and information on GED testing. The room also features a library for people to take a book or movie.

Eighteen volunteers, including Marston, help the food bank operate. These people check in families, package orders and receive incoming donations.

The center always needs volunteers or donations, according to Marston. Food items in constant need include canned goods, rice, pasta, bread, baby food and formula, diapers, cereal, powdered milk, dried beans, meat and personal hygiene items.

The facility is open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Thursday and volunteers work as much or as little as they are available. Call 682-1907 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sharing and Caring: feeding families in need

CRESTVIEW — After standing for more than 60 years, the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview was demolished Tuesday.

The courthouse, at 101 James Lee Blvd. E., opened in 1955 but recently fell into poor condition. Inspectors found mold, asbestos, a leaking roof and a failing heating and air conditioning system.

In October 2015, Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners voted to raze the building and construct a new courthouse on the property. The courthouse closed its doors for the final time in April 2016 and it has further decayed since then.

Several plans were discussed on what to do with the courthouse and property. Ultimately, the construction of a new courthouse on the same plot of land was decided upon. The new project has a set maximum price of about $23.7 million.

"The goal is to achieve a facility that the citizens up here can be proud of and make sure Crestview will be the home of the county courthouse for the next generation," Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles said at the time of the decision.

The county expects the new courthouse to be completed by July 2018.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: County Courthouse demolished in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Punches flew and kicks were delivered at the Crestview Community Center Jan. 6, but nobody was injured. In fact, those who kicked and punched well were rewarded.

As each advanced to the next level of their studies in taekwondo, students at Gordon Martial Arts academy received colored belts attesting to their prowess and signifying where they were on their respective journeys.

While developing physical skills and character, the kids — some as young as 4 years old — also have a great time as they learn the Korean art's techniques, philosophy and discipline demanded of its practitioners.

"He loves it!" Lynn Mayo said of her son, Phenix, 7, who received his blue senior belt at the ceremony.

Gloria Garcia, whose 7-year-old grandson, Chandler Dill, was promoted to orange belt from yellow Friday night, echoed Mayo's sentiment. "He really enjoys it," Garcia said.

The 120 promoted students, including 25 teens and adult martial artists, four of whom also advanced in Korean hapkido, follow a strict observance of the academy's five tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.

The ceremony's guest speaker, Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor, commented on each attribute:

•Courtesy: "Treat people with respect, even if they don't respect you."

•Integrity: "It's one of the most important things you can have in life. It's important in what we do in law enforcement. Always protect your integrity with everything you do."

•Perseverance: "Never give up if you have a goal in life. You can achieve it. With perseverance, you can overcome anything you need to overcome."

•Self-control: "When you have great self-control, it's easy to be courteous to people who aren't courteous to you."

•Indomitable spirit: "Always try your best to be positive, even if you're having a bad day."

Taylor's words stuck with Derek Vegas, 8, who advanced to blue senior belt level during the event.

"I want to be a policeman," Derek told Taylor as he asked his dad to take a photo of him and his little brother, Ethan, 5, with the police chief. That was good news "because we're hiring officers," Taylor told the boy. "Keep up the good work because you're going places."

Academy owner Thomas Gordon said producing such well-rounded, disciplined and confident future leaders is one of Gordon Martial Arts' goals. And it's not just for kids.

"This is something for the whole family," he said. "Anybody can do it."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Skills, discipline part of taekwondo belt ceremony

If you are a "millennial" — a member of the age cohort born anywhere from the early 1980s to the late 1990s — then you're still in the early chapters of your career, so it may be a stretch for you to envision the end of it.

But since you do have so many years until you retire, you've got the luxury of putting time on your side as you save and plan for retirement.

Here are some suggestions for making the best use of that time:

•Invest early — and often. Even if you are at the very beginning of your career, make investing a priority. At first, you might only be able to contribute a small amount each month, but something is far better than nothing — and after a year or so, you might be surprised at how much you've actually put away.

•Take advantage of your employer's retirement plan. If your employer offers a 401(k) or similar plan, contribute as much as you can afford. At the least, put in enough to earn your employer's match, if one is offered. Your contributions can lower your taxable income, and your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis.

•Invest more as your earnings increase. As your career advances, and your earnings rise, you'll want to increase your contributions to your 401(k) or similar plan. And if you ever "max out" on your annual 401(k) contributions (the limits change over time), you can probably still contribute to another tax-advantaged retirement plan, such as a traditional or Roth IRA.

Thus far, we've only discussed, in general terms, how much and how often you should invest. But it's obviously just as important to think about the types of investments you own. And at this stage of your life, you need an investment mix that provides you with ample opportunities for growth. Historically, stocks and stock-based vehicles provide greater growth potential than other investments, such as government securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit (CDs).

Of course, stocks will rise and fall in price, sometimes dramatically. But with decades ahead of you, you do have time to overcome short-term losses. And you may be able to reduce the effects of market volatility by spreading your dollars among many different stock-based investments, along with a reasonable percentage of bonds and other, more conservative securities.

Here's something else to consider: Many millennials want more from their investments than just good performance — they also want their money to make a difference in the world. This interest in "impact" investing (also known as "socially responsible" investing) has led some of your peers to screen out companies or industries they believe have a negative impact on society in favor of other businesses that are viewed as contributing to a more sustainable world. If this viewpoint resonates with you, then you may want to explore these types of investment opportunities with a financial professional.

But most important, keep on investing throughout your life. As a millennial, you've got plenty of the one asset that can never be replaced: time. Use it wisely.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Investment tips for millennials

CRESTVIEW — Returning to Crestview meant sacrificing bigger paychecks, but a local golfer said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Brandon Martin is the new general manager and golf professional at Foxwood Country Club. After spending several years outside Crestview, he returned in April 2014 and began working at Foxwood at the club’s bar and pro shop.

Eventually, Martin started giving lessons and accepted more responsibilities over time, he said. Now, he’s running the course.

But let’s rewind.

Martin began playing golf at 12 years old in the sixth grade. He played at Crestview High School, along with other sports, but quit sports in college. Originally studying to be a meteorologist, Martin realized he “needed something competitive to do.”

“It got to where I realized I didn’t like calculus,” Martin said with a laugh. “I like normal math, but once you start adding the alphabet, it’s a little bit too much.”

Martin enrolled in the Golf Academy of America in Orlando after a recommendation from a friend. The academy is a business school focused on the golf industry. Martin trained at the academy and received an associate degree in golf complex and operations management in 2010, along with a teaching certificate.

In the time following the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Martin couldn’t find a job in the Panhandle area. Having extended family in Washington, he left Florida to work at a golf club in the northwest.

“I found out in my career that I would rather have my friends and family than an enormous paycheck,” Martin said.

So, he left his job in Washington after four years and returned to Crestview.

Foxwood was a natural fit for Martin. He worked at the club when he was in high school as a cart boy and said some of the members from that time still play at the course. Martin believes this adds to the area’s family feel.

A family-oriented environment is one of Martin’s goals as he takes over leadership at Foxwood. He also wants to make the club, and golf in general, more accessible to a younger generation.

“It’s kind of like going to church; it gives you a backbone to live your life off of,” Martin said of playing golf. He believes the sport teaches young people values, etiquette and how to be a strong individual.

While some people may view golf as a difficult sport, Martin said this doesn’t have to be the case. Clubs are a one-time investment, unlike other sports, which require new equipment each year, and the more you play, the less it costs, he said.

Martin has focused on improving Foxwood’s course conditions and hopes continued improvements could build membership. Currently, the club has about 180 members.

As for Martin, he’s happy to be back with old friends and his immediate family.

Although he does miss the cool, Washington summers, he joked.

“As long as I can live a decent life, can pay my bills, be around friends and family — I’m happy," he said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Golf pro now runs Foxwood Country Club

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

PENSACOLA — As of Jan. 1, Gulf Power customers should see their prices drop 3 percent due to lower fuel costs used in energy production.

In November, the Florida Public Service Commission approved Gulf Power’s request to decrease customer’s bills by $4.63, from $148.64 to $144.01 for the average residential customer.

This is the second year in a row Gulf Power customers have seen a decrease in energy prices brought about by planning and management of the natural gas and clean coal the energy provider uses to generate electricity. Last January, residential energy bills decreased 5 percent.

“Gulf Power employees have worked hard to manage costs to benefit our customers directly, especially as we head into the cold winter months,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “And because Gulf Power employees have been working hard toward a more balanced energy mix, our customers can take advantage of lower fuel prices now, and into the future.”

Every year, the Florida Public Service Commission adjusts Gulf Power’s prices to reflect cost changes in fuel, environmental controls and energy conservation programs. Fuel cost savings are passed to Gulf Power customers, with no profit to the company.

This decrease follows a price increase request to continue to invest in Northwest Florida’s energy infrastructure. In October, Gulf Power requested that the Florida Public Service Commission conduct a public review of their prices and a proposed increase that would begin in July 2017.

The last time customers saw a price increase was in January 2015, and when compared to those prices, the average residential customer’s monthly bill in July 2017 after PSC approval would increase by $2.50 per month or less than 2 percent.

“If approved, that requested investment would help secure long-term reliability, continue smart grid improvements, and bolster our goal of achieving a balanced energy mix,” DelaHaya said. “A balanced energy mix helps keep customers’ costs stable and insulates customers from price fluctuations that can be caused by price volatility in the fuel we use to generate electricity.”

Along with that request, the energy company has asked for approval of new customer rate options designed to make bills more predictable and has instituted new initiatives designed for greater customer conveniences, including an improved online experience, additional payment locations at popular stores and payment kiosks in business offices.

Gulf Power customers can find additional savings by making their homes more energy efficient. Go to www.gulfpower.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Power prices decrease for new year

Often people define hay quality in terms of palatability. But we also need to consider other parameters such as digestibility and nutritional value.

To evaluate hay on these parameters, you need to sample and test your hay.

A hay sample is easy to take. We sample each hay lot separately. A hay lot is hay from the same field and same cutting that is harvested under the same environmental conditions and has the same forage composition. Hay samples are taken using a hay probe. The sample is then sent to a lab such as our University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Forage Extension Laboratory or a private lab such as Waters Lab in Georgia.

Hay samples are taken using a hay probe. The sample is then sent to a lab such as our University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Forage Extension Laboratory or a private lab such as Waters Lab in Georgia.

Sample results should include crude protein and total digestible nutrients at a minimum and should be reported on a dry matter basis. Dry matter refers to the portion of the forage after water is excluded. Reporting on a dry matter basis allows us to compare different forages. Crude protein is the nitrogen and amino acids in feeds. Total digestible nutrients, or TDN, represents the energy value of feeds, which is the sum of digestible fibers, starch, sugars, protein and fats in the forages.

Knowing CP and TDN, along with evaluating the palatability, will allow you to determine how much to feed to maintain body conditioning for your livestock. 

Here is a guide:

Bahiagrass Hay; 4-13 percent CP; 42-56 percent TDN

Bermudagrass Hay; 7-16 percent CP; 38-54 percent TDN

Bahiagrass hay seems to be less palatable sometimes but this is more of a management issue. Bahiagrass is often cut after peak palatability. In general, good bahiagrass hay will provide appropriate nutrients for livestock if palatability is high. Bermudagrass seems to be more palatable to picky eaters and contains adequate nutrients for most livestock.

For more information about hay quality or to have your hay sampled, call me at 689-5850 or email bearden@ufl.edu

Jennifer Bearden is an agent at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences offices in Crestview. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Forage testing is important to livestock owners

Three times a year I design a brochure that explains opportunities available for youths from birth through age 17 at our library.

It is always a rather monstrous task to wrangle into submission, and I'm always relieved when it's ready to print. Ever aiming for perfection, no matter how often I miss the mark, at least two sets of eyes proofread it before I start burning up toner to beat the band.

Esther Hurwitz is one of the coworkers I'll hit up for this brain-numbing exercise of proofreading. Several times, she told me it makes her feel tired just looking at it. I get the same feeling, so I didn't think much of her statement. For me, it outlines a lot of upcoming work and deadlines, so logically it would make me tired.

She had to come at it from a different angle to get her point across. "It needs more white space." I had purposely pushed the margins to the printable edge of reason to cram in more information. Could less really be more?

Another coworker, Ginny Dennison, pointed out the need for "empty" space in another library realm: displays. I was asking her and our volunteers to put two books in each book stand, so we'd have a "backup." Ginny noticed fewer items got picked up from the displays when we did this. The display was overwhelming … too busy.

This need for white space, or margin, has spilled over into my thinking about other areas of my life as well. I am an expert at cramming in as much as possible into my time and a novice at creating a "rhythm of rest" — as my pastor, Ian Anderson, calls it.

Perhaps instead of squeezing out every last drop of energy, it would be wiser to intentionally build in white space … margin … rest.

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

Here are upcoming events at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive:

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Thursdays and 9:15 a.m. Fridays, Crestview library. Limited to 30 children per class. Topics are: Jan. 5, 12 and 13, Color; Jan. 19-20, Bedtime (wear pajamas); Feb. 2-3 and 9-10, Baby Love; Feb. 16-17, and 23-24, Birthdays; March 2-3 and 9-10, Chicks & Ducklings; March 16-17, Growing & 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.

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics are: Jan. 10 and 17, Reach for Peace; Jan. 24 and 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.

FRIENDS OF THE CRESTVIEW LIBRARY: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19, Crestview library. Membership starts at $10 a year for individuals.

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: Events for ages 4 and up at the Crestview library 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 perform music for the young and young at heart.

●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 only.

FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FILING: 2-6 p.m. Mondays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Feb. 2-April 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

TEEN WII: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Crestview library. Wii playing for students in grades 6-12.

READ TO DOZER: First Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. for children ages 4 and up.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Considering the value of white space