CRESTVIEW — Participants of last weekend's Korean Martial Arts Festival in downtown Crestview participated in an exit survey, with one question being, "What would you say was the best thing about KMAF?"

They gave these compliments, among others:

•Well organized, with interesting presentations and excellent instructors.

•Enjoyed the wide mix of backgrounds all working together to share knowledge, and presenters and martial arts masters' overall kindness and humility

•Enjoyed meeting and training with high-ranking instructors from all over the U.S. and abroad

The annual event, presented by Gordon Martial Arts, featured 15 instructors performing 30 instructional sessions ranging 45 to 60 minutes. Friday night included a keynote presentation, six sessions and four junior sessions, followed by a late dinner at Azteca Mexican Restaurant. Saturday included four keynote presentations, 10 sessions and four more junior sessions, followed by a banquet.  The event wrapped Sunday with four sessions.

"It really is one of the must-attend Korean Martial Arts events worth visiting in the USA each year," saidGeoff Booth, a martial arts teacher who traveled over a million miles to attend the festival.

Guests who attend the event come from as far away as Canada, England, Holland, Korea and Australia.

Learn more here>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Visitor: Crestview's Korean Martial Arts Festival among 'must-attend' events

Hear ye, hear ye! On Tuesday, May 5, the Shire of Phoenix Glade, of the Society for Creative Anachronism, will take us “Back to the Middle Ages.”

The society is an international organization that researches and re-creates the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. 

Come to the Crestview Public Library between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. to watch fighting and fencing, play a game and  learn a dance. This Evening Library Time is for ages 4 and up. 

Registration is not required for the free event. Please call me at 682-4432 with questions.

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In other news, AARP had a very busy season of preparing taxes for people at no charge.

We send a heartfelt thank-you to all volunteers who so cheerfully and faithfully gave their time, energy and expertise.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NITZEL: Fighting, fencing on tap at Crestview library next month

FORT WALTON BEACH — Child sexual assault survivor and advocate Lauren Book, among others, will walk the panhandle Thursday, April 16 during her sixth annual “Lauren’s Walk." 

The walk begins in South Florida and ends 1,500 miles later on the steps of the Florida capital in Tallahassee, where Lauren will lobby for sexual abuse legislation.  The event, sponsored by Bridgeway Center, Inc., coincides with National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

A $10 advanced registration fee — paid at www.laurenskids.org — covers the cost of a T-shirt, sports band and lunch. On-site registration costs $15. 

The walk through Okaloosa County begins at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Navarre; stops at Bridgeway Center Inc.’s Soundside Wellness Consultants, 205 Shell Ave., Fort Walton Beach; and heads to the Children's Advocacy Center in Niceville.

A reception for walkers will be held 12:15 p.m. April 16 at Bridgeway's Soundside Wellness Consultants.  Light refreshments will be served. 

Donations will be accepted for Bridgeway Center’s Child Abuse Prevention Team, which coordinates with Child Protective Services for children in Okaloosa County. Services are also provided with assistance from the Guardian Ad Litem program, Families First Network in Pensacola, Family Support Services and Bridgeway's Family Care Unit.

Call 376-5386 for more information.   

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's how you can walk the Panhandle to raise sexual assault awareness

CRESTVIEW — The community can observe Transplant Awareness Month during Saturday's “The Big Event,” a fundraiser for businessman Ron Walker.

Walker was diagnosed in the mid-2000s with a non-alcoholic-related, life-threatening liver disease. Doctors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham say a liver transplant is crucial to his survival.

The National Foundation for Transplants, which is partnering with the fundraiser's organizers, stated that the transplant’s $575,000 cost is just the beginning of expenses Walker and his wife, Katrina, will face.

Follow-up care and expensive daily anti-rejection medications are “as critical to his survival as the transplant itself," the foundation’s website states.

The Rev. Silas Ford, pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church — who co-starred with Walker in View From the Stage’s fall 2014 production of “Twelve Angry Men" — said, “There’s a complex at UAB where you have to stay from four to six weeks, and someone will have to stay by his side for 24 hours a day. He’ll be out of work and his wife will be out of work. But he has to pay his bills.”

Ford said one benefit of involving the transplant foundation is that money raised for Walker goes directly to the patient. “Funds have to be allocated per IRS guidelines, so donors know someone won’t just take donations and use it to buy a new car,” Ford said.

Proceeds from the Big Event’s community yard sale, barbecue, Boston butt sale, bounce house and entertainment will benefit a worthy man, Ford said.

“He’s quite a guy,” Ford said. “He’s a very eclectic guy. He and his wife are very wonderful, interesting people.”

HOW TO HELP

WHAT: “The Big Event,” a liver transplant fundraiser for Ron Walker including a yard sale, barbecue, Boston butt sales, bounce house and entertainment

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11

WHERE: Lifepoint Church parking lot, 400 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview.

NOTES: Send tax-deductible donations to: NFT Florida Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Write “in honor of Ron Walker” on the memo line. Or make secure donations at www.transplants.org. Select “Find an NFT Patient” to locate Walker.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: National Transplant Month: Crestview man's expenses exceed cost of transplant

DESTIN — Next week, volunteers can learn how to determine and grant wishes of Florida children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The class is 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 18 at an undisclosed location.

Attendees will learn about how to determine a child's one true wish; different granting techniques; and policies and guidelines on granting the wish.

Participants must be at least age 21, have communication, patience and commitment skills, and give one hour per week.

To register, RSVP for the location or learn about other volunteer opportunities, contact Stephanie Smith, 407-622-4673, ext. 201, or email ssmith@wishcentral.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Make-A-Wish sets Destin grant training session

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Guardians ad Litem will host their annual remembrance program on Sunday at Twin Hills Park.

The event begins 2 p.m. at 100 Hathaway Street N. Attendees will commemorate Northwest Florida's abused, abandoned and neglected children and can learn more about Guardian ad Litem.  

The ceremony features interpretive dance by Northwest Florida Ballet students Jeilani Champion and Malika Grice; a Crestview ROTC flag ceremony; and singing by North Okaloosa resident Toni Taylor. Later, attendees will toss biodegradable flowers in the pond. Each flower represents one child in the GAL system.

The ceremony "will be completely uplifting and motivate (attendees) to know there are children who need help," Carita Smith, Guardians ad Litem recruiter, said. "The amount of time it takes to be a volunteer doesn't compare to the (benefits) of speaking up for them."

Smith hopes more people will become a voice for children in need. In Okaloosa, 175 volunteers are needed. Right now, there are 60. "Some volunteers offer to take more than one case because we are in such great need," Smith said.

North Okaloosa coverage includes Crestview, Laurel Hill, Baker and part of Mossy Head, and the agency has south Okaloosa offices as well.

GAL advocates meet with each child in the program once a month or more determine steps to take in the child's best interest, whether at home, in court or educationwise. They take medical, legal and other needs into account and address them with the GAL team, which includes the child's Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocate Manager, and a Child's Best Interest Attorney, according to the 2015 Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program Standards and website.

In some cases, the GAL functions as a mentor to the children he or she represents. "They advocate through the court, but also for their physical, emotional, educational needs and more, and give them a sense of hope," Smith said.

When asked what kinds of organizations the Guardians partner with, Smith said, "We interact with the Department of Children and Families, Families First Network, (Children in Crisis), Bridgeway.

"Kids can be placed just about anywhere. We have to work with other agencies and make sure we build that rapport with different agencies so that we can get what's needed for the best interest of the children."

What's the most important thing about volunteering?

"The best part of being a GAL, for me, is seeing the kids, interacting with the children, and knowing that I'm making an impact on their life," Smith said.

"When they can look back and say, 'You made things better for me,' I'd do it 20 times over."

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Guardians ad Litem set remembrance ceremony

NICEVILLE — The Emerald Coast Challenge Rodeo and Skills Training, an annual motorcycle skills event, is next week.

Hosted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and the Emerald Coast Blue Knights FLXXV, it is April 16-18 in the Santa Rosa Mall parking lot, 300 Mary Esther Blvd., Mary Esther.

Divisions include Motor Officer, Motor Officer Advanced, Civilian Expert and Civilian Advanced. Prizes will be awarded to the best riders, and all Motor Officers will receive a certificate for 24 hours' training.

April 16 is a practice day; the competition is April 17 and 18. Any motorcyclist may participate, but motorcycles must be as equipped from the factory and at least 1000cc.

The registration fee is $45 per competitor. Proceeds will benefit the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, which helps save and heal child abuse survivors in Okaloosa and Walton counties. In 2013, the center served 739 children, according to a media release.

During the event, the OCSO will unveil its new Motor Unit, which includes three police motorcycles provided by Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson. The vehicles will be used in traffic, law enforcement and public events.

Learn more at www.emeraldcoastchallenge.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boost motorcyclist skills, help child abuse survivors next week in Mary Esther

CRESTVIEW — Tri-County Community Council Inc. is now accepting Low Home Energy Assistance Program applications.

LHEAP funds help Okaloosa residents with home heating or cooling issues and crises.

You can apply for the program 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays at 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Bring proof of the last three months'  household income (wages, Social Security, SSI, child support, pensions and retirement); an electric or gas bill; a photo I.D. for the applicant, and Social Security cards on all family members at the residence.

Call 306-1134 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Home energy assistance applications now available

CRESTVIEW — Would you like to learn more about your ancestors?

“The Basics of Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree” begins 6 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, behind the Post Office in north Crestview.

"On this night we will show you how to use the Internet to search available public records from all around the world for free," an event spokesperson said. "We'll also tell you about genealogical libraries in our area that are open for public use."

Call 682-4432 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family trees take focus April 13