DESTIN — The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation is now accepting applications for the Adult Collaborative Art Exhibit component of the 21st annual Festival of the Arts at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin.

One of the unique features of the Festival is the Collaborative Art Exhibit, which showcases the work of seasoned and emerging adult artists and local student artists competing for the $600 McIlroy Awards given in honor of the late Patricia McIlroy, Destin’s first First Lady and an MKAF advocate and patron.

Artwork should be of an artistic caliber associated with a juried fine art show. Artists in the Adult Collaborative Exhibit can display and/or sell up to three pieces of artwork.

 The competition is open to the first 25 eligible applicants. The entry fee is $30 per person for up to three pieces of art.  Application deadline is Thursday, Sept. 15.  The festival is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 29 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 30  at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive W, Destin.

To receive an application, contact Deb Nissley, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, at 650-2226.

To make a tax-deductible donation or provide a corporate sponsorship; or for more information about the Festival of the Arts, visit http://www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org or call 650-2226.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mattie Kelly foundation seeks artists for its annual festival

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Auburn Water System of Crestview is featured in the August edition of Florida Trend magazine.

The firm ranked 17 in the Small Companies section of 100 Best Companies to Work For, as determined by the magazine and Best Companies Group.

To participate, companies or government entities had to employ at least 15 workers in Florida and have been in operation for at least one year.

Companies that participated were evaluated on workplace policies, practices, philosophies, systems and demographics, as well as an employee satisfaction survey. The combined scores determined the top companies and their final rankings.

"Top companies provide excellent pay, health insurance, 401k plans, and other 'hard' benefits, but they also offer the leadership and communications that encourage employees to participate in the organization's overall success," Florida Trend Publisher Andy Corty said.

To see the entire list, go to www.FloridaTrend.com/BestCompanies.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Auburn Water System is among '100 Best Companies to Work For'

CRESTVIEW — In case you missed it, here are a few of the events scheduled in the next couple of days, either in North Okaloosa County or Crestview-specific.

●'The Wizard of Oz': 7 p.m. July 29, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 30, Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. Cost is $5 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade; $10 for adults; and free for and free for age 5 and younger.  Presented by Ten Talents Youth Theatre of Crestview. Tickets: 826-3409 or www.tentalentscrestview.com.

●No Child Without Healthcare Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 30, Crestview High School, 1304 Ferdon Blvd. N. Free healthcare for children ages 18 and under. Parents or guardians must accompany children during the event. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.; registration to see a doctor ends at 1 p.m. Free exams by medical providers such as vision, dental and mental health specialists, lunch, Medicaid signups and health organization booths. Details: Bazine McDonald, 803-1569 or bworthy@cox.net, and Aisha Morris, 830-3843 or aishakmorris@gmail.com.

●Golf scramble benefit for Crestview Area Youth Association: Registration is 7:30 a.m. July 30 at Emerald Bay Golf Club, 4781 Clubhouse Drive, Destin. Cost for the four-person scramble is $100 per player or $400 per team. It includes green fee and cart, a lunch by 98 Bar-B-Que; a raffle ticket, tee gift, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin contest. Benefits CAYA football and cheerleader programs. For more information contact Stephanie Marracco, 612-6898; Terry Jackson, 281-4916; Bud Tipton, 813-304-4650; or contactcaya@gmail.com.

●Night at the Museum-Hub City: 7 p.m. July 30, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Museum tour of the Heritage Museum's Crestview history items, focus on its 100th anniversary, a food and wine tasting (adults only), and the city's historical moments enacted by members of the Emerald Coast Theatre company. Cost starts at $29 per person (group rate); reservations available at http://conta.cc/2a9PyAf.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ICYMI: Events ending soon in or about the Crestview community

CRESTVIEW — With Main Street a PokeStop, downtown businesses have capitalized on the Pokemon craze.

Crestview Pokémon Center set up an area for players of the interactive video game who thronged downtown after it became a gathering place for the elusive animated creatures.

Players can take a break, recharge their smartphones — the game consumes lots of battery power — use the bathroom and have snacks and drinks at the outdoor food court south of Desi’s.

And besides, who knows how many Pokemon are lurking there?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Downtown business owner capitalizes on Pokemon craze

CRESTVIEW — For the second year in a row, a local pitmaster will express his gratitude to Crestview firefighters who saved his fledgling business from a fire.

Naaman Eicher, owner of Buddy’s View BBQ, will offer local firefighters free barbecue lunches Friday in gratitude for their quick response to a July 29, 2014, fire that delayed his planned Aug. 1 opening.

“It reached 900 degrees in there quickly, but they popped that door open and charged in,” Eicher said. “They risk their lives every day and the public doesn’t give much thought to it sometimes.”

Though the fire damaged one end of the trailer from which his business operates in the Waterfront Mission parking lot, most of the unit was saved.

After a several-month delay, Buddy’s View opened later that year.

“Red Lives Matter and particularly fire department personnel and members of the Crestview Fire Department that risk their lives every day,” Eicher said.

Eicher said the public is invited to attend the noon lunch and meet — and thank — Crestview firefighters. Free BBQ hot dogs will be served to the public.

“Those guys will always have my appreciation,” Eicher said of the firefighters.

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WANT TO GO?

What: Red Lives Matter BBQ lunch

Where: Buddy’s View BBQ, 1975 Ferdon Blvd. S, in the Waterfront Mission parking lot

When: Noon July 29

Notes: Free barbecue lunches for Crestview Fire Department personnel; free BBQ hotdogs for the public

What: Red Lives Matter BBQ lunch

Where: Buddy’s View BBQ, 1975 Ferdon Blvd. S, in the Waterfront Mission parking lot

When: Noon July 29

Notes: Free barbecue lunches for Crestview Fire Department personnel; free BBQ hotdogs for the public

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Red Lives Matter': Crestview businessman thanks firefighters

BAKER — The American Cancer Society has more money to assist its goal of eradicating cancer.

As they have for the past three years, Old Spanish Trail Pro Rodeo and Baker Area Recreation Association presented the organization with a check for $1,000 toward "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" for the Emerald Coast on July 26 in Baker.

BARA recognizes "Pink Night" at their Saturday night Baker rodeo which is held each year in Baker.

BARA's involvement is joined by many other rodeos throughout the county where Saturday nights are Pink Night for breast cancer awareness.

Mark Todd, BARA president, challenges all other organizations to join the fight against cancer. "Together we can contribute to fight against cancer. Monies donated to the American Cancer Society stay here in our area to help locals who are battling cancer," Todd said.

"American Cancer Society encourages all women to have an annual mammogram; you have a greater chance to cure breast cancer if it is detected early," he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Recreation, rodeo organizers donate to American Cancer Society

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview church is hosting a free family movie night for the community.

The presentation of "Zootopia," rated PG for some themes, rude humor and action, is by Destiny Worship Center, and sponsored by Costa Enterprises.

Free snowcones, popcorn and drinks will be available during the event, which is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Old Spanish Trail Pavilion on Stillwell Boulevard in Crestview. The movie will start a little before 7 p.m.

Attendees may bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the film.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the event.

For more about DWC, go to http://www.destinyworshipcenter.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free community movie night showing scheduled in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Summer reading programs like the one at the Crestview library keep children reading during the break so they don't lose hard-earned skills.

Participants in the library program earn "funny money" toward prizes in a program store at the end of the summer holidays.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Program helps North Okaloosa students retain reading skills

CRESTVIEW — Looking for a job? Employers will hire job applicants on the spot at an upcoming Crestview job fair.

Asurion, the Florida Department of Corrections, Gulf Coast Youth Services, Maruti Transit, Taylor Smith, Tom Thumb, Sacred Heart Medical Group, MasterCorp and Southland Utilities will be on site for the Career Source Okaloosa/Walton fair.

The job fair is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27 at the Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive.

 Parking for the fair is on the east side of the building only.

This is the first job fair in Crestview since CareerSource Okaloosa Walton closed its Crestview service center June 3.

Job seekers and businesses seeking workers can visit south Okaloosa County CareerSource offices in Fort Walton Beach, Eglin Air Force Base and Northwest Florida State College.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local job fair first once since Crestview CareerSource closed June 3

Need something to do this week? Check out these fun events:

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