FORT WALTON BEACH — One Okaloosa County park has potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated Sept. 14.

Garniers Park, Fort Walton Beach failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. Enteric bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: One Okaloosa park receives advisory for hazardous water

If you haven't heard, the Crestview News Bulletin for the next four months is celebrating nonprofit organizations and causes that strengthen our community.

The CNB — along with the Northwest Florida Daily News, the Destin Log, Walton Sun and Santa Rosa's Press Gazette — have joined GateHouse Media's more than 500 news organizations across the country for our Celebrate Community initiative. 

We will publish stories and commentary about organizations that help children, women, animals, military personnel, homeless people, those with mental illnesses and people with addictions.

So far, the CNB has requested and received information on North Okaloosa nonprofits so we can kick off the series. As we sort through that data and prepare feature stories and lists on organizations and causes that transform our lives, www.crestviewbulletin.com and the newspaper will encourage community involvement at every turn.

And what better way to start than with the United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties' 22nd Annual Day of Caring?

The Crestview Day of Caring kicks off Sept. 17 with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast at North Okaloosa Medical Center's cafeteria, 151 E. Redstone Ave. You can bring non-perishable foods — even if it's just a can or two, organizers say — for distribution at area food banks.

Next, "volunteers will be assigned to a local organization where they tackle meaningful volunteer projects," a United Way media release states. "Some projects may include painting a room, cleaning out a flowerbed, or sorting canned food."

Volunteers work on those projects and then have an 11:30 a.m. lunch at the GFWC Woman's Club, 150 Woodlawn Drive.

Helping to beautify or otherwise serve the community should be enough motivation to consider volunteering, but if you need an extra nudge, the United Way offers these top 10 reasons to participate in the Day of Caring (with my commentary added):

●Networking. You likely will meet people who don't travel in the same social circles — and you never know what opportunities that could provide.

●Lose weight. If you're pulling weeds or painting, you're seriously working some muscles. That's the first step to avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. Think about it: this one day could be the beginning of a brand new you.

●Breakfast and lunch provided. Free food — need they say more?

●A day away from the office. If your boss will give you the day off, it's worth getting some sunshine and avoiding those sometimes headache-inducing fluorescent lights.

●Learn about the community. It amazes me when the News Bulletin reports on places the John McMahon Environmental Center and I read Facebook comments such as, "I've lived here 20 years and have never heard of this place! Where is it?" Everyone can get stuck in their own schedule and traveling paths, which can result in isolation and lack of community awareness. Solution? Day of Caring.

●Free T-shirt. Expand your wardrobe at no charge? That's always nice, right?

●It would make your mama proud. That's a given. (And, community service aside, isn't this one of those "should be reason enough" points?)

●Good karma. What goes around comes around; even if you don't believe that's a cosmic truth, the same result remains. Think about it: if you're volunteering and meeting people you didn't know before, new relationships will form, and something good is bound to come from that.

●It's fun! OK, this one's a tougher sell for some people. But as someone who volunteers a lot, I can say that although painting houses or cleaning up debris can seem like hard work, you eventually bond with others in the group and make games out of the situation. Before you know it, time flies. (And you know that only happens when you're having… that's right: fun!)

●When you reach out a hand to one, you influence the condition of all. Just like bad things beget bad things, goodness begets goodness. If someone does something nice for you, most likely, you will pay it forward in some way, even if you don't consciously realize you're doing it. That's just human nature.

So, there you have it: 10 reasons to volunteer for tomorrow's Crestview Day of Caring.

Keep reading the News Bulletin as we explore more ways you can Celebrate Community.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: 10 reasons to volunteer for Crestview's Day of Caring

CRESTVIEW — Children in Crisis has extra support for its programs benefiting at-risk children. Dunkin' Donuts and Purple Square Management  donated $2,909 to the nonprofit organization.

The funds were raised through a donation from sales transactions for a three-day period by stores located from Pensacola to Destin, including Crestview's location.

 “I can't thank the Dunkin' Donuts stores and staff enough for their wonderful support to CIC and our children," Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, said. "We give a home, food, clothing and care for over 100 children each year and this donation will go a long way in keeping our dream alive."

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: Dunkin' Donuts, management firm help Northwest Florida Children in Crisis

Comic books are goods read for youths.

For years, the myth was that comic books couldn't help children appreciate reading or improve their literacy skills.

It was generally thought that these books had mostly pictures and graphics, and this did not equate to reading, but more to looking at pictures.

Pictures do tell a story, and often help youths develop vision and imagination. More important, comic books provide the reluctant reader a path to enjoying reading. Kids later move on to other fun books.

Many youths today enjoy superhero games. Having these titles in the library will catch their attention and lead to them check them out.

Smithfield, N.C., librarian Emily Childress-Campbell gives some sound advice to parents about comic books:

•Comics are a format, not a genre.

•Comics featuring beloved characters can serve as a starting place for children and teens who have no idea where to start in their reading.

•Comics' adaptations of prose novels (such as Percy Jackson or the Infernal Devices) may lead a child or teen to read the prose novel.

•Particularly in rural towns, the library may be the only access that readers have to comics.

As library workers, let’s promote the idea that “real reading” is in the eyes (or ears) of each individual reader.

Come in and check out your favorite comic book.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LEWIS: Comic books have more benefits than meets the eye

BAKER — The Baker Block Museum will feature a number of events during its Okaloosa County Centennial Celebration.

A Native American drum circle and drum-making demonstration; a living history program with Bonnie Grundel of Baker portraying a 1933 sharecropper's wife; and an old-fashioned homemade ice cream social are scheduled between 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19.  

Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend.

The museum — 1307 Georgia Ave., Baker — opens at 10 a.m. and will remain open throughout the evening’s events.

Call the museum, 537-5714, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker museum schedules drum circle, living history program

CRESTVIEW — Emerald Coast Aviation will host a fly-in from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at Bob Sikes Airport, 5535 John Givens Road, Crestview.

The event includes a raffle for prizes such as a $150 Bass Pro Shops gift card, a dinner cruise for two and two $250 cash drawings. Local vendors, air rides, simulator rides, kids' activities and fuel discounts are part of the fun, with prize drawings at 1 p.m.

Food and drinks will be provided.

RSVP to Olivia@EmeraldCoastAviation.com or visit ECA's Facebook page if you plan to attend.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Aviation schedules Crestview fly-in

Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas G. Allen has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

He completed an 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 earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Allen, who earned distinction as an honor graduate, is the son of Kimberly and stepson of Neal Kolb of Crestview; son-in-law of Carlos and Mirna Galdamez of Los Angeles, Calif.; brother of Robert Sinclair and Jennifer Sinclair; and husband of Ana Allen.

He is a 2010 Crestview High School graduate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview High School graduate completes U.S. Air Force basic military training

VALPARAISO — The Heritage Museum is planning a seat weaving workshop. The schedule hasn't been set yet.

Weaving styles to be taught include the classical cane open weave; closed weave of fiber rush, common on ladder-back chairs; and herringbone pattern, using flat or oval reed. Some chairs and stools are available for learning.

Attendees may bring their chairs to learn how to make the old chair look new.

Admission costs $8 per session for museum members, or $10 for nonmembers. There is a one-time $10 fee per chair for materials and tool use.

Call 678-2615 if you would like to attend.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cane weaving workshop coming soon to Valparaiso museum

FREEPORT — Walton Outdoors' sixth annual Explore The Outdoors Festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at Live Oak Landing Outdoor Destination, 229 Pitts Avenue in Freeport.

The free event introduces children to exploring nature. Hands-on activities will include fishing, kayaking, wildlife encounters, interactive educational exhibits, nature-based crafts and giveaways. The water activities are geared for children 6 years old and up. Food vendors will be on hand.

Activities and exhibits include:

•Fishing on Black Creek

•Fish Florida fishing rod giveaways

•Fishing education with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

•Kayaking with Snaggy Bend Outfitters

•Emerald Coast Hydrobikes

•Archery with Freeport Parks and Recreation

•Boating with Wounded Warrior Fishing

•Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge wildlife exhibit

•Birding with the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

•Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wildlife exhibit

•Topsail Hill Preserve State Park exhibit

•Henderson Beach State Park exhibit

•Eden Gardens and Camp Helen State Park

•Northwest Florida Astronomy club

•Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance touch tank

•Smokey the Bear and his friends from Forestry

•Sweetbay Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

•Falling Waters State Park snake exhibit

•Washington County exhibit

•Tri-County Head Start fun

•Florida Public Archeology Network

•Emerald Coast Science Center

•Friends of South Walton Turtle Watch

•Nature-based crafts

•Do-it-yourself wood crafts with Lowe's

•Deitrich's Honey Farm

•Washington County Tourist Development Council exhibit

Food purchases will be available from Grayton Beach Catering.

See www.waltonoutdoors.com/explorefest or call 267-2064 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Walton Outdoors presents children's festival Oct. 10

VALPARAISO — The Heritage Museum is participating in “Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live!” The event offers free tickets to over 400,000 museums across the United States.

Visitors may download a free ticket at www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday. Each Heritage Museum visitor who presents the ticket gets free entrance for two people from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso.

View military, Native American, pioneer, and exhibits for early turpentine, boat building and fishing industries in Northwest Florida. Children will enjoy playing in the Discovery Room where they can dress like a pioneer and experience an array of hands-on activities.

Attendees may also stroll in the beautiful “Paradise Gardens,” an outdoor exhibit of the Valparaiso Garden Club featuring indigenous trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers.

For details, call 678-2615.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Valparaiso museum hosts Smithsonian Magazine event