CRESTVIEW — Poets and musicians can attend the Crestview Public Library's next open microphone evening.

This month's poetry starter is "Invite creativity in."

The free event starts at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at the library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Everyone is welcome, even those who don't write poetry or play music.

Contact Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; or Rick Sanders, 585-6399, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library poetry reading session scheduled

CRESTVIEW — Elder Gary Johnson, founder of the Brotherhood of Love, says "Santa Claus is coming to town."

That's the theme of his organization's next community outreach, which follows a Thanksgiving feast.

BOL's Dec. 25 events — all at the Carver Hill School — are:

●Toy giveaway and dinner: 1-4 p.m.

●Gospel talent show: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; for ages 6 to 15; first-, second- and third-place trophies will be awarded

Donations solely support the Brotherhood of Love's events. Food and monetary donations allowed the organization to feed more than 500 people during its Thanksgiving feast.

Johnson, a retired master chef, cooked the food and Great Faith Ministries in downtown Crestview provided space.

Call Johnson, 229-379-1741, or Doris Hill, 398-0431, for more information about the Christmas events.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Thanksgiving feast organizers make Christmas plans

CRESTVIEW — A two-day training course on use and maintenance of HK MP5 and UMP submachine guns is scheduled.

The course, which costs $500 per person, is set for April 23 and 24 at Jay's Guns, 366 S. Main St., Crestview. It covers the employment and maintenance of the MP5 and the UMP, with a lecture, demonstrations and drills to maximize the weapons' full potential.

Email dereklott@cox.net to reserve a space.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Submachine gun training scheduled in Crestview

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — Residents in the areas of Mossy Head and the northeast side of Niceville may hear one or two large detonations Monday.

The 96th Civil Engineer Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight will perform a routine munitions disposal in the morning on Monday, Dec. 7 on Range C-62.

The EOD Flight performs munitions disposals on the Eglin reservation as a safety measure. For more information, call the Team Eglin Public Affairs office at 882-3931.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eglin explosive ordnance crew announces possible noise advisory

CRESTVIEW — Historian Jim Moore, in character as Andrew Jackson, may have left the building, but as Crestview kicks off its centennial year next month, he’ll be back as Okaloosa County’s founder, state Sen. William Mapoles.

Moore’s historical interpretations are colorful presentations incorporating dialogue from their subjects’ writings and speeches, and featuring historically accurate costumes.

While Moore’s Dec. 1 Jackson presentation at the Crestview Public Library focused on the military hero and president’s efforts that led to Florida’s incorporation into the United States, his portrayal of Mapoles will bring to life efforts that led to Okaloosa's creation.

The Jan. 22 and 23, 2016, presentations at Warriors Hall kick off a yearlong, citywide centennial celebration that will include a dance, picnic, more historical interpretations, and the city’s gala birthday party in April.

Additional centennial events, organized by community clubs and organizations, include a concert, dinner, religious gathering and a wine gala.

Though actually founded by the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad more than 30 years before, the town of Crestview was officially incorporated April 11, 1916, upon approval of a referendum that was held under an oak tree at the Congregational Church.

The Crestview Centennial Committee, chaired by former Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Pat Hollarn, has been meeting nearly monthly for almost a year to plan 100^th birthday observances.

The Crestview Centennial Committee has planned these events to celebrate the city’s 100^th birthday in 2016 (times and locations to be determined):

Jan. 22 & 23: “How We Began,” a pageant with historic interpreter Jim Moore portraying Okaloosa founder William Mapoles

Feb. 13: Gala Centennial Ball: “Dance Through the Decades”

March 19: Centennial Heritage Performances during the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Triple B Festival on the South Stage in downtown Crestview

April 16: Crestview Centennial Birthday Party following the Spanish Trail Cruisers’ car show

May 21: Crestview Honors its Heroes, a military salute during the Armed Forces Day Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration

June: TBD

July 4: Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Family Centennial Picnic and Fireworks, Twin Hills Park

September, date TBD: Homecoming Through the Decades in conjunction with Crestview High School homecoming

Oct. 14: The Spirits of Crestview: Historic Ghost Walk

Oct. 29: Centennial Fall Festival

Nov. 11: Veterans Day Parade honoring those who’ve served over the past 100 years

Dec. 3: Centennial Christmas Parade: “Christmas Through the Decades”

Additional centennial celebrations

Community organizations have scheduled these events to celebrate Crestview's founding:

Feb. 12: “Valentines and All That Jazz” concert presented by the Crestview High School jazz band and the Friends of the Arts

March 5: Old-Fashioned Dinner hosted by the Crestview Woman’s Club

Sept. 17: Women of Valor Conference organized by Destiny Church

Oct. 22: Wine Gala presented by the Crestview Area Sister City Program

CRESTVIEW CENTENNIAL EVENTS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Centennial celebrations kick off Jan. 22 (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Kiwanis Club has scheduled a breakfast and auction to support its community projects.

The event is set for 7-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at Samuel's Roadhouse on John King Road.

 Tickets cost $5 per person, available from any Kiwanis member, or at the door. Children under 7 eat free. 

"Come by, have a pancake breakfast, your picture taken with Santa, and bid on auction items," an event spokesperson said.  

Contact JB Whitten, 305-3890 or crestviewkiwanis@outlook.com, for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pancake breakfast, auction and Santa visit scheduled in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Children in Crisis has extra support for its programs benefiting at-risk children. The Beach Brawl Sk8r Dolls donated more than $900 to the nonprofit organization.

"We opened a new children's family foster home last month and now we have the huge challenge of sustaining operations of the home. The Beach Brawl Sk8r Dolls donation will help use with our critical need of feeding and clothing our kids," Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, said.

The CIC Neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach provides emergency shelter for children removed from an unsafe environment on short notice, and offers housing to help with foster home shortage. 

Learn more at www.childrenincrisisfl.org or call 864-4242.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Beach Brawl Sk8r Dolls help support CIC kids

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — InDyne employees raised $42,275.91 for the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties' annual campaign.

This exceeded their $37,000 goal.

"I am incredibly proud of the men and women of Team InDyne ETTC, and their generous contributions to such a worthy cause," InDyne Program Director Mike Guidry said. "It is an honor working with these highly skilled and hard-working individuals who somehow always find a way to donate their time or money to their local community efforts."

"In my book, they are all the real superheroes!" Guidry said, referring to superhero costumes that employees wore during the check presentation.  

See http://www.united-way.org/ for more information about the organization.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties gains $42K in support

CRESTVIEW — Casbah Coffee Company is hosting a grand re-opening at its new location.

The opening is 9 a.m. this Friday, Dec. 4 at 196 W. Pine Ave., Crestview, between Main and Wilson Streets, one block from the courthouse.

Free coffee and baked samples will be available 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Customers can also get $1 off per pound on the company's regularly priced fresh roasted coffee, and buy-one-get-one-free on cinnamon roll bread pudding all day Dec. 4.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Downtown coffee house hosts Crestview grand re-opening

CRESTVIEW — Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center and Florida Furbabies are hosting a pet adoption drive.

They will also accept dog and cat food donations and supplies.

Hours are 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 5 at the center, 500 Hospital Drive Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pet adoption drive scheduled in Crestview