Need something to do this week? Check out these fun events: http://bit.ly/29wV9ir.

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

CRESTVIEW — The Ten Talents Youth Theatre's next production is a family-friendly presentation of "The Wizard of Oz."

Cost is $5 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade; $10 for adults; and free for and free for age 5 and younger.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. July 29, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 30 at the Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

Purchase tickets from cast members; email nancy@ctpromedia.com; call 826-3409; or go to www.tentalentscrestview.com.

The theatre will provide a cast list later today, July 11, which will be posted here.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ten Talents Youth Theatre presents 'The Wizard of Oz'

The Autism Society of the Emerald Coast, a part of the Autism Society of America, were the June recipients of the Costa family McDonald’s McCafe with a Cause program.

This initiative was designed and developed by Costa Enterprises, owners of twenty-one McDonalds in Northwest Florida. At all their McDonald’s restaurants, 50% of the McCafe coffee proceeds every Monday during the month resulted in a $1,500 donation to the Autism Society.

The Autism Society supports individuals with autism and their families through numerous opportunities that are funded by donations and grants. 

As well, the non-profit organization offers specialized training programs to area first responders and teachers to familiarize them with how to best work with those with autism.

For more information about this non-profit organization, visit www.asecfl.com.

“On every Monday throughout the year, customers can purchase any size McCafe coffee, hot or iced, of our 100% Arabica Bean fresh-brewed coffee, and 50% of these proceeds will benefit a charity each month in Northwest Florida,” David Costa, Sr., CEO of Costa Enterprises, said.

The July program benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Florida, and August will benefit the Taylor Haugen Foundation.

For more information on the McCafe with a Cause program, visit www.mcdmc.com/mccafe-with-a-cause.asp   

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview, Navarre area McDonald's owner cuts check to Autism Society of the Emerald Coast

CRESTVIEW — Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

State Road 85 road striping: Motorists traveling near the S.R. 85 North/State Road 123 intersection will encounter lane restrictions 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. July 10-13.

●US Highway 90 resurfacing: Eastbound and westbound lane closures 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 11-16, from west of Summertime Drive to Old River Road.

●US Highway 98 Brooks Bridge lighting repairs: Westbound lane closure from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. July 12.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Traffic alerts set for North Okaloosa, Walton counties

Long-term unemployment (defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as unemployment last­ing 26 weeks or more) can be an incredibly destructive force in a career. It’s easy to get caught up in the vicious cycle — the longer you spend without a job, the harder it becomes to get hired for a new one.

Henry Farber is keenly aware of this problem. The Hughes-Rogers professor of economics at Princeton University, where he’s also the director of the Industrial Relations Section, has had his research on long-term unemploy­ment published in the Economic Policy Review, the Quarterly Journal of Eco­nomics and many other publications.

Monster caught up with Farber to talk about the challenges faced by the long-term unemployed, as well as what they can do to get their careers back in gear.

Q. What are some of the root causes of long-term unemployment?

A. It depends on the state of the economy … It’s more productive to talk about what makes it easy to find a job, which is that you have skills that other employers want, or that you’re willing to move to take a job. But some people are fixed in place, and the older unemployed tend to have longer spells of unemployment, and older job losers tend to take longer to find work. It’s really a whole range of things, but it’s very sensitive to the state of the labor market. So in the depths of the Great Recession (roughly early 2008 to mid-2009), the rate of long-term unemployment just shot up. And frankly, it’s stayed pretty elevated even through the recovery.

Q. What kinds of obstacles do the long-term unemployed face that make it difficult to get their careers back on track?

A. Many people argue that the skills you have to offer atrophy — that if you’ve been unemployed a year, employers worry that you don’t have the skills you need to compete. Or if you’re unemployed a long time, employers might take that as a signal that you’re not really a go-getter or not very well qualified. But you would think that wouldn’t be so relevant in a deep recession like the Great Recession, because employers can say, “Well, the guy’s been unemployed a long time. I’m not going to make too much of that, because hardly anyone’s finding work, it’s just a terrible economy.”

But in a strong economy or stronger labor market — maybe more like what we have now — if you’ve been unem­ployed a long time, the employer says, “Well, the economy’s strong, and if he was a go-getter he would have found a job.”

Q. What’s the situation right now, post-reces­sion? Is the labor market improving?

A. I would say the labor market as a whole is getting better, but the rate at which newly unemployed people can find work is higher than it’s been in a long time. The unemployment rate is relatively low, but the fraction of unemployed who are long-term unem­ployed is higher than it’s been in any pre-recession period, and remains high.

So there are some warning signs that the benefits of the expansion are being shared unequally.

Q. What can the long-term unemployed do to create some forward momentum in their careers?

A. Ultimately, I think it’s about a strategy of job search. … My under­standing is there’s an awful lot of what I’ll call mechanized first-stage screen­ing of resumes. What they’re looking for are particular keywords, and if the job applicants understood that screen­ing process better, they could tailor how they present information on who they are in ways that could be more productive.

It’s easy to get lost in the noise. But workers need to think carefully about what skills they have to offer, what jobs they should apply for. If they need to get more skills, they should figure out ways to get more skills. … And it might even be that people need to be willing to move to find work in ways that they haven’t.

—

Most hot jobs don’t pay well

CNN Money reports that most of the 10 projected fastest-growing jobs pay less than the typ­ical annual wage of $35,540. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs like personal care aides, home health aides and nursing assistants are hot but pay about $12 an hour. Retail and food service jobs are also fast-growing but pay even less. — More Content Now

CNN Money reports that most of the 10 projected fastest-growing jobs pay less than the typ­ical annual wage of $35,540. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs like personal care aides, home health aides and nursing assistants are hot but pay about $12 an hour. Retail and food service jobs are also fast-growing but pay even less. — More Content Now

Most hot jobs don’t pay well

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GELBER: Breaking the cycle of long-term unemployment

Dear editor,

Bob Allen is right — as if ignoring the traffic problem will make it go away.  I understand it will take time and money. However, there are smaller initiatives that could take place.

Like extending the left turning lanes by a few hundred feet for both Antioch Road and PJ Adams Parkway. This would take numerous cars off the 85 corridor. 

The leadership of Crestview should show a little more compassion and enthusiasm in fixing the traffic issue; there is plenty that could be done. If money is the issue, work with the Florida Department of Transportation to secure state and federal grants or low-interest loans. They are available.

Either way, something needs to be done. Whoever cracks the code to get this deal done would be a hero to all the residents of Crestview.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Fix Crestview's traffic problem now

CRESTVIEW — The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a bunco fundraiser benefiting Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, the USO, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal "After the Long Walk" peer support hotline.

Men and women ages 18 and up may purchase tickets for $25 per person. Tickets will be sold in advance instead of at the door. The price includes a light breakfast and noon lunch for the event, which is 9:30 a.m. July 30 at the Don Braun Columbian Hall, 701 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview, near Twin Hills Park. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Several bunco and door prizes will be distributed at the event.

For tickets or more information call 689-1208 or 682-7968.

For more on how to play bunco, a dice game, see the wikihow page, www.wikihow.com/Play-Bunco.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bunco fundraiser set to benefit Knights of Columbus causes

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

BAKER — A new business aims to make life easier for North Okaloosa County residents.

“The rural lifestyle is a choice, and we are here to support that choice, as we live it ourselves,” Baker Feed and Country Store owner Tony Happel said. “We saw a need for a wide range of quality products, from apparel to gifts and feed to seed, in the Baker area.”

Baker area residents may have visited a chain retailer or ordered online to get Wrangler jeans, Justin boots, American-made horse tack or specialty feeds, the store’s management said. 

Now, they have an option close to home.

“We have sourced our products to be competitive with the large-box stores, yet we offer the small-town service our customers expect,” said Jennifer Augustine, the store's manager.

Looking for a unique, locally made gift? They have those, too. Rocking chairs, carpenter bee traps and jewelry are just some of the handmade items you’ll find on the shelves.

With a combined 35 years’ experience in farming and agribusiness, Happel and Augustine can answer questions related to animal nutrition, pasture maintenance and lawn care. 

See www.bakerfeedandcountrystore.com for more information about one of North Okaloosa County’s newest businesses

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Grand opening set for Baker feed store

SAN ANTONIO — U.S. Air Force Airman Alan D. Weidenhammer graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Weidenhammer is the son of Pamela and Ross Weidenhammer of Crestview.

He is a 2014 graduate of Baker School, Baker.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker graduate completes US Air Force basic training