CRESTVIEW — Pop and classical keyboardist Jay Russo will return to the Crestview Public Library for another performance.

The event is 6-8 p.m. May 17 at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Russo, a Valparaiso native and Crestview resident, plays a mix of popular and classical music, as well as his own works.

Musicians who'd like to schedule a Music at the Library performance may call 682-4432. Hours are 6-8 p.m. Mondays or Tuesdays.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident to perform May 17 at Crestview library

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce is moving its Triple B Cookoff to a new location in 2017.

The popular event — a Main Street fixture for several years — will take place March 25, 2017 at the Old Spanish Trail Fair Grounds.

So, why is the event moving?

Well, the chamber has obtained the Kansas City Barbeque Society’s certification, which will provide national exposure for competitors.

“Most of the competitors that compete at that level have 30- to 60-foot trailers that they use to compete out of,” a chamber media release states.

“The new location will allow us to accommodate the larger trailers, especially with the added need for higher voltage electricity hook ups and access to water, while still allowing us to include our favorite hometown competitors and vendors.”

More information will soon be available regarding sponsorships, vendors and competitors interested in participating, the release stated.

See crestviewchamber.com or call 682-3212 for more information about the Triple B cookoff.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B festival moves from Main Street to new location in 2017

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association appreciates the community support for its recent food drives, a spokesperson said. 

The association collected 1,308 items for Sharing and Caring, with all proceeds benefiting Crestview families.

The items were delivered April 1 to the center at 298 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview police academy group collects food for Sharing and Caring

BAKER — The third 2016 installment of the Dixie Gulf Arabian Horse Show is April 23.

The event, free to attend, includes several halter, trial and riding classes of competition.

Good sportsmanship and high-point awards will be presented.

Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and classes competition starts at 9 a.m. 

See http://www.dixiegulfarabians.com for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker horse show scheduled April 23

CRESTVIEW — The combined industry team of L-3 Crestview Aerospace, Northrop Grumman Corporation and Lockheed Martin recently achieved the 400th consecutive on-time delivery of a self-protected aircraft system.

This milestone included a March 15 ceremony at the L-3 Crestview Aerospace facility at the Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview.

The team has delivered the high-quality item — called the Directional Infrared Countermeasures/Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures-modified aircraft — for more than 15 years, with all 400 aircraft delivered on time. As a result, the U.S. Air Force warfighters are better equipped to perform their mission and have a system that provides superior protection to both aircraft and aircrews. The team delivered the first DIRCM-modified MC-130H Combat Talon II to the U.S. Air Force in March 2001.

The installations included multiple variants and configurations of Northrop Grumman’s DIRCM/LAIRCM systems. Lockheed Martin provided installation engineering, electrical kit manufacturing and program management, and L-3 Crestview Aerospace provided mechanical kit manufacturing, aircraft modifications and maintenance.

The only such aircraft protection system currently in production, Northrop Grumman’s DIRCM/LAIRCM system is now installed or scheduled for installation on more than 1,200 military aircraft to protect more than 55 different types of large fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks. The system functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat, and activating a high-intensity laser-based countermeasures system to track and defeat the missile.

L-3 Crestview Aerospace has fabricated the more than 435 DIRCM/LAIRCM aircraft installation kits it has installed, as well as spares and kits for installation at other sites. There were more than 33 different configurations based on aircraft-unique specifications and customer requirements.

“The delivery of the 400th consecutive DIRCM/LAIRCM aircraft is a phenomenal accomplishment for our Crestview team and industry partners, and we are proud to have achieved such a great milestone,” said Woody Tignor, vice president and general manager of L-3 Crestview Aerospace. “Consistent, quality performance is critical in supporting the warfighter’s mission, and this milestone is a reflection of 15 years of integration excellence and dedication to that mission.”

“This team has collaborated for 15 years to deliver these 400 aircraft without missing a beat. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to the warfighters who rely on these enhanced capabilities to protect aircraft and its aircrews,” said Paula Hartley, vice president of Advanced Product Solutions for Lockheed Martin. “We are proud to be a member of this team and are looking forward to the next 24 deliveries to the Air Force Special Operations Command.”

“This same industry partnership has worked together for 15 years to design, qualify, test and deliver DIRCM/LAIRCM capability to the U.S. Air Force, and we’re proud to take this 400th on-time delivery as an opportunity to celebrate this important team achievement,” said Carl Smith, vice president of Mission Solutions at Northrop Grumman.

“This work, along with our latest partnership to provide a high-performing, open architecture digital radar warning receiver, jammer and geolocation capability in a low-risk Group A installation for Special Operations Command AC/MC-130Js, provides the most robust, battle-proven capability to protect the warfighter from advanced and emerging missiles.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: L-3 celebrates major aircraft delivery milestone

FORT WALTON BEACH — A temporary shelter for Northwest Florida homeless women and families has extra support with a Unitarian Universalist church’s donation. 

John Holt, president of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Emerald Coast, presented about $700 from church members to Opportunity Place Executive Director Debra McDaniel.

See www.opifwb.org for more about Opportunity Place, which operates in Okaloosa, Walton and surrounding counties.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Opportunity Place gets boost with donation

VALPARAISO — An Impact Pro Wrestling event is scheduled April 30.

All proceeds benefit local veterans and Sons of AmVets Post 78 community projects.

The general public is invited to this event, which includes the best of regional pro wrestling, food, much more. Wrestlers expected at the event include Scarface, Initial Shock, Davie Prime, Lane Smart, Victor Cru and Nathan Beast.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and bell-time is 7:30 p.m. at AmVets Post 78, 910 Valastics Ave., Valparaiso.

Tickets cost $8 per person, and are free for children age 6 and under.

For more information call 678-3828.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: April 30 wrestling event to benefit Sons of AmVets

CRESTVIEW — Want a pulled pork sandwich? It’ll cost you a unique shot glass, and it better be a real special glass.

Hub City Smokehouse and Grill pitmaster Mike Carroll has been collecting shot glasses since high school and always welcomes new acquisitions — provided they meet his standards.

“I started in 1976 on a high school trip to Disney World with my girlfriend at the time, who later became my wife,” Carroll said. “I knew I was going to go into the military and I wanted to collect something from my travels.”

Shot glasses were just the ticket because of their convenient size, Hub City manager Mark Kane said.

“He needed something smaller that he could pack and take with him when he moved,” Kane said.

The original quest became a search for a Disney shot glass.

“We found one from the Contemporary (Resort) and the Polynesian Village, but we couldn’t find anything from Walt Disney World,” Carroll said. “They told us we’d never find anything with Walt Disney’s name on it related to alcohol.”

“His goal was to eventually find a Walt Disney World shot glass,” Kane said. “That didn’t happen until the mid-‘90s when they started selling alcohol at Disney, but at the related parks, not in the Magic Kingdom.”

Eventually Carroll’s wondering days ended, though enhancing the shot glass collection, which now tops 1,000, Kane said, continued.

“When I opened up the restaurant four years ago, my traveling days stopped,” Carroll said. “I get a lot from the 7th Special Forces guys from their travels. I picked one up the other day from Jordan with water from the Jordan River water in it.”

And he has one that contains a vial of holy water blessed by Pope John Paul II. At least that’s what the donor claimed.

“We have a family friend who’s a Jesuit priest and he spent a year and a half at the Vatican,” Carroll said. “When he returned home he told me it was blessed by the pope, and I can’t call him a liar.”

Hub City Smokehouse and Grill pitmaster and owner Mike Carroll will swap donors a shot glass unique to his collection for a smoked pulled pork sandwich.

But the glass has to be special, Carroll and manager Mark Kane said. And what makes it special? Well, that’s up to them to decide.

To donate a glass or view Carroll’s shot glass collection, visit the restaurant, 168 Main St. S., Crestview.

WANT A PULLED PORK SANDWICH?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview pitmaster trades pulled pork sandwiches for shot glasses

MOSSY HEAD — CHELCO’s first annual charity golf tournament at Blackstone Golf Course in Mossy Head April 8 raised more than $3,850 in funds for donation to American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and American Heart Association’s Heartwalk events. CHELCO is a proud supporter of both events and fundraises throughout the year.

Several CHELCO employees organized and worked the event to ensure its success. Many of the employees also participate in Crestview and North of the Bay Relay for Life events as well as the Heartwalk. Both Relay for Life events take place next Friday, April 22.

Overall, there were 21 hole sponsors, several snack and door prize sponsors, and nine teams. It was a beautiful day to play golf and players enjoyed a barbecue lunch at Blackstone’s restaurant before tee time.

“CHELCO’s excited to make this golf tournament an annual event to raise funds for these worthy causes,” said CHELCO Marketing Manager Bryan Gilbert. “We do other smaller fundraisers throughout the year, but this signature event will help us raise even more money for the charities. We are very grateful to all our sponsors who made the tournament possible.”

CHELCO’s Relay for Life team hopes to have more than $6,000 in donations by next Friday’s events. The Heartwalk event is September 24 at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, and the teams will continue fundraising over the next few months.

CHELCO is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving more than 48,000 accounts in Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes and Santa Rosa counties.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHELCO'S first Northwest Florida charity tournament raises big money

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

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