If you’re headed out to buy a real Christmas tree to deck your halls this year, here’s what you need to know to keep your tree looking fresh through the holiday.

Cut it yourself. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, some trees are cut weeks before they’re sold. To ensure your tree lasts as long as possible, go to a farm that lets you chop it down yourself or find a nursery that will provide you with a freshly cut tree.

Secure the tree to your car while taking it home. Wrap it up and point the bottom of the tree forward to keep needles from being blown off, and make sure to tie it securely.

Cut off the bottom of the trunk. Experts say the sap from the tree can seal off the pores in the trunk once it’s cut, so sawing a few inches off the bottom before putting your tree in water will ensure it stays hydrated.

Water it. Make sure the tree stand is filled with water at all times, and make sure the water level never goes below the base of the tree. Some experts recommend 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter.

Keep it away from heat sources. Real trees can be a serious fire hazard, so keep it away from heaters, ducts, candles and anything else that could ignite your tree. Use lights that produce low heat to keep your tree from igniting, and don’t overload electrical circuits. Always turn the tree lights off when leaving the house or going to bed.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 6 tips for taking care of your real Christmas tree

Christmas is coming and wish lists vary. Here are ideas from which most can benefit.

Medical care for all Americans. Congress must sever ties with lobbyists working on behalf of the pharmaceutical and medical insurance companies and represent the American people. Prescription costs are too high and the government pays too much money to the drug companies for those who receive various medicines from government coverage. All Americans should be able to see a doctor and receive medical care. Working Americans should have access to affordable medical care. Retired and poor/disabled/uninsurable Americans should have access to Medicare and Medicaid. All Veterans and military should be able to choose an alternate doctor or hospital when the VA hospital and doctors are not in close proximity or are inaccessible.

My medical insurance company recently informed me that my doctors must always gain their consent when prescribing any kind of medicine. They not only demand final approval on any medications I might need, they frequently dictate that my doctor prescribes a medication that is less expensive. I would like to think that my doctor prescribes medicines based on his opinion that they will work.  If I decide to follow my doctor's direction and the medical insurance company doesn't agree then I will be totally out of pocket for my prescription.

My wife and I were in France once and she had to see a doctor. There were doctor offices everywhere in Paris. Seeing a doctor and getting two prescriptions were less than $35. We didn't use an insurance card and a visit to the doctor and going to the pharmacy around the corner both took less than 90 minutes. France does not have socialized medicine. They are involved in controlling the costs of drugs. The life expectancy for those living in France is longer than us living in America. France's medical world is not perfect but we should take notes.

Christmas will be good if Americans can have access to jobs across the country. Big cities are booming with jobs it seems but rural America does not have the same options. I suppose it will always be this way but everyone cannot live in Provo, Utah, Austin, Texas or Nashville, Tennessee. A friend of mine recently moved to Indianapolis and has job opportunities galore. The federal government must spend some of the money we give away to the Middle East on rural America. Roads, bridges, parks and investing in small companies that will locate in rural America must be a government priority. We've spent too many years nation-building throughout the planet and let Appalachia and other rural communities drown.

I don't have enough space so here are musts for Americans this Christmas:

• Small interest loans so our youth can afford to go to college. Make college as affordable as possible.
• Turn Social Security around and keep our promised retirements solvent for our graying Americans.
• Reward the corporations who stay in America and let those who want to be out of America pay the price for abandoning us.
• Keep America safe with strong borders and a strong military and take care of those who do and have served our country.
• Insure that sane Americans can have their Colt 45 revolvers by their bedside tables when they turn out the lights and say their prayers.

Finally, may we all be a little more like President George H.W. Bush who wrote newly elected President Bill Clinton a very gracious note welcoming him to the oval office and assuring him of his support saying "…that you will be 'our' President when you read this note."  He led by living the example that it doesn't hurt any of us to be respectful, gracious, decent people who help, love and encourage others.

May all Americans have a Merry Christmas.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

What’s your view?

Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What we need for Christmas

CRESTVIEW — For the first time, the Hub City Bulldogs represented Crestview in an annual Pop Warner tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

The Mitey Mite football team played their first game against a team from Hawaii Dec. 1 at 9 a.m eastern time, which aired on ESPN 3.

“That’s huge for these kids to go to Disney World and play with other kids from across the country,” Terry Jackson said.

Terry, his wife Jennifer Jackson and Miriam and Ryan Hardy brought the first Pop Warner program to Crestview with the help of the community.

“Our community stepped up and rallied behind these children," Jennifer said. "…We have been able to fully outfit this program head-to-toe, debt free."

Terry and Jennifer said they are "speechless" about making it to this weekend's tournament.

"We didn't expect it to take off like this," Terry said.

The Mitey Mite cheer squad also competed in a cheer exhibition located in an arena that seats about 20,000 people. Jennifer said most of them had never cheered before.

"They are so excited," Jennifer said. "This is a big, big deal. It's a national stage."

Jennifer said they are one out of nine teams in the southeast region chosen to perform in the tournament.

Pop Warner Little Scholars is a non-profit organization providing football and cheer programs to youth in several nations. The organization is the largest youth football organization in the United States with over 300,000 participants.

With “Little Scholars” as part of their name, Pop Warner places importance on academic success. Along with being recognized for athletic ability, Pop Warner also recognizes those with outstanding academics.

Being successful in the classroom was important for Denis Lysiak, whose son Jacoby plays on the Mitey Mite football team. Lysiak said his son was only a few points from national recognition, something Jacoby wasn't thrilled about.

“I told my son if he wants to play at the next level, he has to have his grades in order,” Lysiak said.

Amanda Bowser’s daughter, Adalyn Bowser, cheers for the Mitey Mite cheer squad. Amanda said her daughter’s academics have improved since joining the team.

“Her grades have gone up and stayed up,” Amanda said.

Terry and Jennifer said they plan to continue the program next year.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The Hub City Bulldogs make history in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The city of Crestview Christmas Parade has been rescheduled.

Due to possible inclement weather, the parade has been moved to Saturday, Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Forecasts show potential heavy rain and severe weather in the area Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Christmas Parade moved due to threat of severe weather

CRESTVIEW — Quentin Paulsen, a local barber who won an international competition sponsored by Reuzel, American Salon, and Project X, has returned from the Netherlands trip that was part of his prize package.

The grand prize came as a surprise.

"I thought possibly I might be a finalist, but totally did not expect to win the competition. I knew that the haircut was good, and I was very proud of it," he said. "I was so surprised when I woke up to the alerts on my phone that I had won."

It also included training at the Project X Old School Barber Academy in Amsterdam, Holland.

"Their style of cutting is more old-world, old-school style, soft clipper over comb," Paulsen said. "You can shape the haircut in a style that better fits the client."

They cut classic styles he prefers from the 1940s, '50s and '60s, such as pompadours, quiffs, executive contours, jelly rolls, the elephant trunks — the kinds in shows like "Mad Men" and "Grease," according to Paulsen.

He and fellow students  got to see the techniques old-school barbers use from start to finish. They also performed four haircuts themselves with instructor critique. 

Paulsen learned "a more refined approach to doing a haircut. I do model myself a lot after their approach," he said. He was able to pick up on the small details he hadn't learned from their Youtube videos, photos and seeing them speak at events.

Another takeaway from the trip was it opened his mind to similarities and differences between Crestview and another part of the world.

"Over there, it's very similar to how we approach life over here, and getting their point of view was a great experience," he said.

Paulsen became interested in the craft of barbering while a member of the U.S. Navy.

"While we were deployed, the guys would need to get their hair cleaned up a little bit, so I was the guy they would come to see. It was nothing fancy back then, but it piqued my interest in it," Paulsen said.

After the military, he used his G.I. Bill funding to go to barber school at Pensacola State College.

Paulsen said attending the Netherlands school has re-energized his love for his profession.

"I love the effect a good haircut has on every person who gives me the privilege to sit in my chair."

Hub City Barbers is located at 211 N. Main Street in Crestview. Appointments are available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 398-6555 or visit their Facebook page to book an appointment.

Paulsen and his wife, Melissa, have three children, with one more on the way.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Barber refines craft during Netherlands trip

The library's current website picks provide varied information to those who visit them.

•The Library of Congress —https://www.loc.gov —  is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections.

It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. The LOC preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors.

•USA.gov is an excellent, easy to navigate portal to the many institutions and services within the federal government.  Use this site to find out how to:

– Apply for a passport.

–Search for unclaimed money owed to you from the government.

–Contact your local representatives.

–Purchase surplus items through auctions, and so much more.

In closing, here is a quote about libraries made by author Caitlin Moran: "A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life-raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead."

Marie Heath is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: November site picks are portals of information

CRESTVIEW — The installation of red light cameras in Crestview is complete. However, the city council has a few decisions to make before they go live.

City Clerk Elizabeth Roy said at the Nov. 26 council meeting Florida statutes require the city to enact a resolution determining the clerk for a hearing officer.

"I have been getting a lot of input on our cameras forth coming, and I want the best resolution we can come up (with) on this thing," Councilman Joe Blocker said.

The hearing officer is an attorney that acts on behalf the city when a driver contests the notice. Hearing officers typically have no ties to the municipality that hired them.

Roy said the city could hire the hearing officer from Gulf Breeze for $175 an hour, the same amount charged to the city of Gulf Breeze.

"He is an experienced hearing officer that is willing to take on that role," Roy said.

The Crestview Police Department will monitor the red light cameras, Roy said.

"Photo Enforced" signs are already present at the intersection of Ferdon Blvd. and Redstone Ave. and the intersection of Ferdon Blvd. and James Lee Blvd., U.S. Highway 90.

If caught running a red light, the driver will receive a Notice of Violation from the Crestview Police Department, which will include photo evidence. First month offenders will receive "warning" stamped on their notices. After the warning period has concluded, drivers will be required to pay a notice fee or contest the notice through a hearing process.

Drivers will not receive points on their license, but licenses can be suspended if they don't pay the fine.

The initial notice fee is expected to be around $150. Roy recommended to the city council a maximum $250 fee for violation if drivers contest the notice and are found guilty.

The city council is expected to decide on the hearing officer clerk, the hearing officer and the municipal fee at the Dec. 11 meeting.

The red light cameras are expected to be active by Jan. 1, 2019.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Red light cameras expected to be active by January

Christmas is coming fast but try to slow down. Before you know it Christmas will be over.

Most of us live our lives in a hurry. We hurry to finish school, hurry through meals, hurry through the work week and hurry into retirement. In a twinkle of an eye we have hurried through our lives. The clock cannot be reset. The past is in the past and you can't change yesterday. You can relish, rejoice or regret about yesterday but you can't change the past. Actually you might not want to or you might tweak a few days if you could but you can't.

If you could you, might have spent an extra hour at the lake or an extra day on vacation. You might have given an extra hour to passing ball with your kids or staying an extra hour to help mom clean up the kitchen. You might retract some words that came out of your mouth in a moment of frustration. The scenarios are numerous when we look back.

We can only look ahead. 

Take the focus off spending lots of money. Consider drawing names if you have a large group that gathers. Why try to buy for everybody? Some of the people you buy for may be strapped for cash. They might be able to buy one or two gifts with a limited budget but they can't buy for ten or twenty people. Even if you are blessed with cash consider others who want to give but are limited. Plan a way that all can enjoy.

Take the focus off eating. Do you really want to start the New Year ten pounds heavier? Nobody needs five different kinds of pies and cakes. The more you have to eat in your refrigerator the more you will eat. Do your loved ones need diabetes? Don't add to their problem. Make some good food and make it as healthy as possible. However, take the time to enjoy what you made and try to enjoy it with people who are meaningful to you.

Try to focus on who and what Christmas is all about. A humble family giving birth to a baby in Bethlehem. Life was surely hectic and crazy for Mary and Joseph. They had made the trip to a tiny village to pay taxes, Mary had her baby Jesus and it was in a place where the animals were kept. The crib was a cow's trough. Life for them was surely filled with stress. Soon they would vacate Bethlehem because they feared for the life of their child. They certainly experienced tiredness and worries.

The old story says shepherds came to see the baby Jesus. Angels appeared in celebration of his birth. Wise men from the East came bringing him gifts. A lot of attention was given to the little baby.  This season focus on what and who are important before the season is over and take an extra moment to enjoy.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

What’s your view?

Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Enjoy Christmas before it's over

CRESTVIEW — Here are upcoming and recent events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas. 

ARC  poinsettia sale fundraiser underway

CRESTVIEW — The ARC of the Emerald Coast annual poinsettia sale is in progress. All proceeds benefit ARC, which provides care and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The deadline to order red, marble or white poinsettias is Nov. 26.

An eight-inch size costs $25 each, or purchase three for $60. Delivery is available for an additional cost, and orders must be paid by cash, check or credit card (via Square) before delivery.

Email ethatcher.arcec@gmail.com or call 863-1530 to order.

Blood donations wanted

CRESTVIEW — People who donate blood or platelets at OneBlood Donor Centers through Nov. 30 will receive a OneBlood fleece blanket and a $10 eGift Card.

Locations include the OneBlood Center at 2400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite B, Crestview.

Visit oneblood.org/donorcenters for other locations, hours and appointments, or call 1-888-936-6283.

Church youths hosting pancake benefit for Walker students

CRESTVIEW — The Joy Fellowship Senior High youth group is raising funds to purchase new tennis shoes for Walker Elementary School children.

"Approximately 65 percent of the children at Walker are on free or reduced lunches and our youth group would like to bless some of the children with new tennis shoes," a youth group spokeperson said.

An all you can eat pancake breakfast fundraiser is 8-10 a.m. Dec. 1 at Applebee's, 215 Rasberry Road, Crestview.

Tickets cost $8 each and will be available at the door. Breakfast includes pancakes, two pieces of bacon, and coffee, tea, soda, orange juice or milk. Pancakes are all-you-can-eat. There are no substitutions for the breakfast menu.

20th Annual Ride for the Toys will help Crestview foster children

CRESTVIEW — The local American Legion Post 75 will have the 20th Annual Ride for the Toys in December. All toys and funds received will benefit Crestview children in the care of FamiliesFirst Network.

The run begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1 at the Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 3351 Ferdon Blvd. S, Crestview.

The entry fee is a $10 donation, plus an unwrapped gift.

After the ride, attendees are invited to enjoy food, music and raffles at Post 75, 898 James Lee Blvd. E, Crestview.

Call Shelby Windham, 689-3195 or 305-3635 for more information about the run. Call Michelle Giordano, 850-860-4259, for more information about FFN, which is the lead agency in Circuit 1 for foster care and related services for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

VOICES of Mobile to have local Christmas concert

CRESTVIEW — The acclaimed vocal ensemble VOICES of Mobile presents their free 2018 Christmas Tour Concert.

The event is 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at First Baptist Church of Crestview, 171 Hickory Ave. E.

A love offering will be received for the choir. The VOICES of Mobile is comprised of 18 vocalists from The University of Mobile.

Call 682-2544 for more information.

North Okaloosa Community Band to host Christmas concert

CRESTVIEW — The leadership of the North Okaloosa Community Band announces its upcoming Christmas music spectacular.

The free concert is 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

Under the direction of Kim Whaley, NOCB, Pensacola's Bay Community Band, Fort Walton Beach's Emerald Coast Community Band, and the Walton County Community Band will perform a diversified program of sacred and secular Christmas music.

The program includes several numbers by the individual bands as well as a rendition by the four combined bands.

Arts and craft vendors wanted for Heritage Museum Christmas festival

VALPARAISO — The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida invites arts, craft, and antiques vendors to participate in its Yule of Yesteryear – A Traditional Christmas Festival.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at the museum and Perrine Park, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso.

Vendors must produce quality hand-crafted, original items only.

Yule of Yesteryear is a free event that includes musical and historical theatrical performances; Civil War Christmas re-enactments; and craft demonstrations such as blacksmithing and weaving.

To register, go to www.heritage-museum.org; email info@heritage-museum.org; or call 678-2615.

First Baptist Church of Crestview presents Christmas musical

CRESTVIEW — "Welcome to Bethlehem" is a free Christmas musical-drama that will be presented twice by the First Baptist Church of Crestview Sanctuary Choir and Drama Ministry.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. Dec. 9 and 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church, located at 171 Hickory Ave. E, Crestview.

"Joy and hope for a hurting world are the themes that shine through in this encouraging and relatable Christmas musical-drama," a media release for the event stated.

"In (the musical) we find the staff of Bethlehem Inn reaching its guests in their real-life struggles, from a couple struggling financially, to a teenage runaway needing help."

Call 682-2544 for more information. 

Gift card email scam targets Fort Walton Beach business

SHALIMAR — The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is warning area companies about a a new scam designed to fraudulently use email and gift cards to gain cash.

A Fort Walton Beach business employee received an email that appeared to be from the business owner, asking her to purchase gift cards to give out.

The email, signed with the name of the owner, instructed the employee to use either a company credit card or her own and stated she would be reimbursed, according to an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office media release.

The employee was told to then send photos of all the

purchased card numbers and purchase receipt back to the owner, but when she went to follow through with the instructions, the credit card company texted the real business owner. He declined the transaction and notified law enforcement.

Although the original email to the employee had both her correct name and her correct email address, OCSO deputies found the email address given to her to use to relay the gift card numbers was not the business owner’s true email address.

It’s believed the scammers may have gotten accurate business-related names and emails from a combination of websites and business cards. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Community Briefs

CRESTVIEW — For more than a year, the sign in front of the former Yumi Buffet on South Ferdon Boulevard has read “reopen soon” and “new management.” But that is unlikely to be the case.

The business officially shut its doors in early 2017 after four closures in three years.

Now the 7,385-square-foot building remains empty. Crestview Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard said she hasn't seen any submissions to change that.

In addition to health violations, the company had issues with taxes.

A sign on the door of the restaurant states that $973.88 in property taxes has not been paid, and the property is subject to seizure. The notice warns owners to leave all furniture, equipment and fixtures within the building or face one-year imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine.

The owed amount stems from unpaid tangible personal property taxes in 2015. Yumi Buffet — previously Golden Asian Buffet — also owes $660.83 in unpaid taxes from 2016.

The restaurant made a payment in 2016 but it was for taxes owed from 2014, according to public tax documents.

Beach Community Bank currently owns the foreclosed property, according to the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s website. The bank purchased the property in late 2016 for $350,100.

According to Scott McCormick, Beach Community Bank senior vice president, the property is for sale through two brokers.

HEALTH VIOLATIONS

The restaurant was forced to close for the fourth and final time in February 2017 for a citation of 20 health violations, including six high-priority concerns, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s inspection report.

In October 2016, an inspector found about 75 droppings in addition to food storage violations. Another closure occurred in June 2016, when the business had 48 violations, 14 of which were high-priority. Approximately 230 rodent droppings were found during that inspection.

The restaurant also closed in May 2014 when over 50 droppings and about 37 live roaches were found in the kitchen. The restaurant reportedly has had 25 complaint-driven inspections since April 2014.

Google reviews from the weeks leading up to the restaurant’s final closure cite “poor quality food” for the 2.2-star ranking. Some even said they received food poisoning from eating there or saw live bugs in and near the food.

Just after the restaurant’s final closure in 2017, the owner, Chen Chong, told the Crestview News Bulletin that he planned to change the restaurant's manager and staff to improve the restaurant’s conditions and stimulate income growth to afford taxes.

However, Chong left the business and all the assets inside. There was no recent contact information available for Chong.

PROPERTY HISTORY

In 1978, Alvin “Al” and Faye McLain of Crestview purchased the property and built McLain’s Family Steakhouse, according to the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s website.

The McLains also owned a restaurant by the same name in DeFuniak Springs which opened in 1996. The Crestview location was open for many years before the couple sold it to Florida West Properties Inc. in 1998.

The McLain’s Family Steakhouse is still in operation in DeFuniak; however, the McLains sold the business in 1998.

A Sonny’s Real-Pit BBQ soon opened at the Crestview property and remained in business for 10 years.

In 2008, Crestview Trading Co. LLC purchased the building for $1.5 million and Golden Asian Buffet opened. After Crestview Trading Co.’s owner, Donald Moore, died in 2015. The company was dissolved, but the restaurant stayed open.

Daily News reporter Alicia Adams contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former Golden Asian Buffet building remains empty, for sale