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

CRESTVIEW — Since June 1935, the Kiwanis Club of Crestview has existed to serve the community and improve area children’s lives.

Kiwanis is a global organization with over 625,000 members who annually raise more than $100 million, according to its website. Raised funds go to over 150,000 service projects that vary based on a community’s needs. The Crestview chapter has 33 members, said Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Roy, but that hasn’t slowed the group’s influence.

Crestview Kiwanis annually awards a scholarship to a member of the Key Club at Crestview High School. Key Club, a service program for high school students, focuses on teaching leadership skills. Over 5,000 Key Club chapters exist globally, according to the Kiwanis website.

Additionally, Crestview Kiwanis has three endowed scholarships through Northwest Florida State College. The college chooses the recipients, but one of the scholarships must go to a student enrolled to become a teacher, Roy said.

Beyond scholarships, Crestview Kiwanis works with the city to revitalize the John McMahon Environmental Center. The center — which features over 100 identified trees native to Florida and houses an environmental museum — is used as a tool for area students.

Through donations, fundraisers and volunteer work, the chapter constructed a walking path at the center and cleans and maintains the facility. The next major goal, Roy said, is to construct a children’s park in the area.

Kiwanis has also used social media to encourage community participation in several local events such as a town hall discussion on homelessness, veterans’ parades, health care fairs and the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Triple B cookoff.

For those looking to become involved with the Kiwanis Club, the Crestview chapter meets at noon each Wednesday at Samuel’s Roadhouse on John King Road.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Kiwanis members work to improve children's lives

CRESTVIEW — Economical development may increase with health care consultant and Pensacola Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer investing up to $35,000 for a revitalization study.

Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. of Jacksonville, will conduct research to develop a statement of vision, mission and values for the Hub City, according to Community Redevelopment Agency Director Brenda Smith. This will be the first time such a study has been conducted in Crestview, she said.

Studer’s $100 million in investments and developments are mostly in the immediate Pensacola area, he said. However, “When I went to Crestview, there was great passion, great enthusiasm for the city,” he said. “It just needed good measurement and data to make it happen.”

The study and its results will be coordinated between Crestview city officials and the Studer Community Institute, which “is focused on improving our community’s quality of life,” its website states. The direction Crestview chooses to go with the results is solely up to the city and its officials, Studer said.

The company uses a series of metrics developed with the University of West Florida to measure the “educational, economic and social well-being of the community,” the institute’s website states.

Studer will meet with area stakeholders Jan. 17 at City Hall to begin research and coordination efforts, Smith said.

“The city as a whole needs an overriding mission statement,” Studer said. Crestview’s individual department heads have clear missions, he added, but without a “single focus,” the town would face growth difficulties.

The study should take less than a month to conduct, Studer said. From there, his firm can work with city officials to “build tactics” and achieve measurable goals.

In addition to the Mason-Dixon survey, the CRA has approved a contract for market assessment by Retail Strategies and a contract with West Florida Regional Planning Council and Atkins to develop a city master plan.

Retail Strategies is a consultant firm that works with cities to identify retail opportunities and create and execute a recruitment strategy, according to the company’s website.

Businesses, such as Target or Kohl’s, look to the research from firms like Retail Strategies to determine if an area is suitable for their business, Smith said. This research uses several metrics including income, current retail establishments, ordinances and demographics.

Anyone can complete the survey located at www.retailstrategies.info/getting-to-know-your-community/

The contract with West Florida Regional Planning Council and Atkins will help the CRA create a master plan, Smith said. Master plans promote a framework for supporting investment, stressing desired change and preserving a town’s character.

Establishing a master plan will help address issues and strategies for destination development in Crestview. Additionally, a master plan is often required for a city to receive statewide and national grants, according to Smith. These grants, she said, can be used for development, public projects or agency funding.

Due to these various projects, Smith said Crestview currently has record opportunity for growth and development.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Investing in progress:

CRESTVIEW — Here is the latest roundup of North Okaloosa County projects in development.

THE PROJECTS

A development at 2150 S. Ferdon Blvd., next to Publix, will feature three buildings for restaurant and retail establishments.

Crestview Crossing has signed multiple leases for McAlister’s Deli, Marco’s Pizza, Fusion Bistro and Sport Clips. Crestview Growth Management Department Director Teresa Gaillard said these comprise the first wave of expected businesses in the shopping center.

Construction will occur in two building phases. The first phase will involve the building of two structures: one 4,600 square feet; the other 9,460 square feet. The second phase will see the construction of a 6,000-square-foot building for retail use.

Rumors about a Wal-Mart Grocery, the company’s food-only store, opening at the location are false, according to Gaillard. An investment firm is working with the city to secure property for what could become a Wal-Mart Grocery, but it is more likely to be a smaller version of the traditional store, Gaillard said.

Gaillard also stated that David’s Catfish House, a restaurant near the intersection of North Ferdon Boulevard and Old Bethel Road, is nearing completion.

THE PROGRESS

Crews working on Crestview Crossing have cleared the land and are beginning phase one of constructing the first pair of buildings.

Gaillard said this is an ongoing project and, although an exact opening date is unknown, she states it will be in the immediate future.

A potential Wal-Mart location, of any kind, is in the earliest of planning stages, according to Gaillard. She said the project, if it happens, wouldn’t be slated until 2018.

David’s Catfish House is the most immediate of several projects. Gaillard said the Alabama-based chain is scheduled to open its Crestview location at the end of January.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Crossing brings new business to town

1. ENJOY A MOVIE NIGHT. The Marquis Cinema 10 at 2828 Richbourg Lane, Crestview will be open Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. For showtimes, see http://www.movieshowtime.net, or pick something entertaining on cable, online or in DVD form.

2. TAKE YOUR FIRST HIKE OF 2017 with the Florida Trail Choctawhatchee group. Members will tour the Timberlake Recreation area. It starts at 2 p.m. Jan. 1 at a kiosk on Ranger Road, and Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. To RSVP, go to http://bit.ly/2iJtxvM. An Eglin permit is required. See https://eglin.isportsman.net/Permits.aspx for details.

3. CHALLENGE YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS with a puzzle-building session. The person to snap in the last outside frame piece gets bragging rights. (There are few local events this time of year, but this suggestion is oldie and goodie.) 

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

Several mutton snapper management changes go into effect Jan. 1, 2017. These changes were approved at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's September meeting:

•Recreational, commercial, importation and sale minimum size limits will be 18 inches in all state waters.

•The recreational bag limit will be five fish per person within the 10-fish snapper aggregate bag limit in all state waters.

•The commercial trip limit will be five fish per person, per day or per trip from April through June in Atlantic state waters (this will replace the prior May through June commercial trip limit that was effective for all state waters).

•A 500-pound commercial trip limit is in effect for the remainder of the year (July through March) in Atlantic state waters.

Though mutton snapper is not overfished or undergoing overfishing, the 2015 stock assessment indicated that the population is smaller than previously estimated. Atlantic federal fishery managers recently approved measures that would make Atlantic federal regulations similar to the recent state changes.

Gulf federal fishery managers are also considering making similar measures for Gulf federal waters. These changes are intended to prevent harvest from exceeding the planned federal quotas, or the number of fish that can be harvested.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mutton snapper management changes expected

Several mutton snapper management changes go into effect Jan. 1, 2017. These changes were approved at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's September meeting:

•Recreational, commercial, importation and sale minimum size limits will be 18 inches in all state waters.

•The recreational bag limit will be five fish per person within the 10-fish snapper aggregate bag limit in all state waters.

•The commercial trip limit will be five fish per person, per day or per trip from April through June in Atlantic state waters (this will replace the prior May through June commercial trip limit that was effective for all state waters).

•A 500-pound commercial trip limit is in effect for the remainder of the year (July through March) in Atlantic state waters.

Though mutton snapper is not overfished or undergoing overfishing, the 2015 stock assessment indicated that the population is smaller than previously estimated. Atlantic federal fishery managers recently approved measures that would make Atlantic federal regulations similar to the recent state changes.

Gulf federal fishery managers are also considering making similar measures for Gulf federal waters. These changes are intended to prevent harvest from exceeding the planned federal quotas, or the number of fish that can be harvested.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mutton snapper management changes expected

CRESTVIEW — An out-of-town passenger suddenly died Tuesday afternoon, according to the Crestview Police Department.

The vehicle's driver called 911 at 3:28 p.m. to report her grandfather had a "medical event" while traveling on Interstate 10, according to the CPD. The vehicle pulled off I-10 and parked at the McDonald's on South Ferdon Boulevard to wait for emergency services' arrival. CPD officers arrived first, followed by the Crestview Fire Department and Okaloosa EMS. 

Emergency medical technicians performed CPR on the man, a CPD spokesperson said. However, Okaloosa EMS reported to CPD, the man "was dead on arrival at the scene."

The victim's information has not yet been added to police reports, but the CPD spokesperson stated they believe the man was "from Mississippi or Louisiana."

—

This is a developing story. We will post updates as they become available.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Out-of-town vehicle passenger dies

CRESTVIEW — Karen Ksobiech, owner of Hair World in north Crestview, will discuss “The Science and Fashion of Hairdressing” for the Jan. 3 First Tuesday Talk at the Crestview Public Library. 

This free class starts at 10:30 a.m. with coffee and cookies served starting at 10 a.m. when the doors open. The library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive behind the Post Office in north Crestview.

Ksobiech’s display, “The History of Hairdressing,” will also be on display Jan. 3 through Feb. 28 at the library. 

Call the library, 682-4432, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'The Science and Fashion of Hairdressing' set Jan. 3

"Regrets? I've had a few …" Frank Sinatra, one of the most famous entertainers of the 20th century, did things his way, but he was also familiar with remorse.

He's not alone, of course. We all deal with regrets — and financial ones are among the most troublesome.

Here are the leading financial regrets, according to a recent survey by Bankrate.com, along with some suggestions for avoiding them:

•Not saving for retirement early enough — This was the top regret expressed by survey respondents. Saving and investing early for retirement offers you two key benefits. First, the more time you give growth-oriented investments, the greater their growth potential. And second, by saving and investing for retirement early in your career, you will likely need to put away less money each year than you would if you waited until, say, your 40s or 50s. Therefore, if you aren't already doing so, contribute as much as you can afford to your IRA and your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored plan. And increase your contributions every time your salary rises.

•Not saving enough for emergency expenses — You can't plan for all expenses. Your furnace might die, your car may need a major repair, you may incur a sizable doctor's bill — the list goes on and on. If you don't have the money available to meet these costs, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments.

That's why it's important to maintain an emergency fund, containing three to six months' worth of living expenses, in a liquid, low-risk account.

•Taking on too much credit card debt — If you don't overuse your credit cards, they can be handy and helpful in many ways. Try to keep a lid on your credit card debt, though, keeping in mind that your debt payments reduce the amount of money you have available to invest for your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

•Not saving enough for your children's education — This may be perhaps the most difficult regret to address — after all, it's not easy to save for your own retirement and simultaneously put money away for your children's college educations.

However, if you can afford to save for college, try to do so in as advantageous a manner as possible. For example, some college savings plans offer tax benefits.

•Buying a bigger house than you can afford — If you tie up too much money in mortgage payments, you will have less to contribute to your various retirement accounts. While home equity certainly has some value, it generally does not provide you with the same liquidity — and probably not the same potential for growth and income — as an investment portfolio that's appropriate for your needs and risk tolerance. So think carefully before purchasing that big house; you might be better served by scaling down your home ownership and ramping up your investments.

You can't avoid all the doubts and misgivings you'll encounter at various stages of your life. But if you can reduce those regrets associated with your finances, you could well increase your satisfaction during your retirement years.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Act now to avoid financial regrets