Here are upcoming Crestview Public Library-related events. The library's address is 1445 Commerce Drive.

UPCOMING

TRUNK OR TREAT: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29, in the library's east parking lot. TO RSVP a space: Call Ginny, 682-4432. Prizes for best trunk decorations. Call to volunteer or donate candy.

RECURRING

ADULT COLORING THERAPY: 5-6 p.m. third Mondays for ages 18 or older. Hot tea, coloring pages, pencils and markers are provided.

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday, Crestview Public Library. Online: http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php.

POETRY OPEN MIC READING: 6:30 p.m. second Tuesdays. Arrive at 6 p.m. for conversation and snacks. Poets and musicians may read, perform, improvise and play together. Free. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432. 

FAMILY HISTORY CLUB: 10 a.m. to noon every third Thursday features the basics and a question-and-answer discussion led by volunteer cindy Barber. Contact dotdane99@gmail.com for information.

BEGINNER'S CHESS CLUB: 3-4 p.m. every first and third Thursday at the library. For ages 6 and up. Learn to play the game.

ESSENTIAL OILS 101: 6 p.m. every fourth Thursday and 2:30 p.m. every fourth Saturday learn about essential oils with volunteer consultant Lynisha Smith. Contact 758-6482 or YLBlessed1@gmail.com for more information.

TEEN TIME: 2-4 p.m. Fridays at the library for students in grades six through 12.

READ TO DOZER: 10 to 11 a.m. on the first Saturdays of each month (as long as it's not raining).

COFFEE & CRAFT: 10 a.m. second Saturdays, Crestview library. Call 682-4432 to reserve your spot.

BRIGHT FUTURES VOLUNTEER HOURS: for students in grades nine through 12 to use toward Bright Futures scholarships. Contact Youth Librarian Heather Nitzel, 682-4432, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Public Library events

Crestview Library is holding its first ever Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Stop by the library to view the artistic talent in our community and vote for your favorite. They will be on display through Halloween. 

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Design a pumpkin for the library's contest

CRESTVIEW — Loomis Bros. Circus – America’s last real 3-ring circus, will be making their annual return to Crestview’s Old Spanish Trail Park, Nov. 8-11.

Shows will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. only. The circus will perform in the park’s covered theater pavilion located on Stillwell Blvd, one block off N Ferdon Blvd. (Highway 85).

The annual fundraising event is once again sponsored by the Crestview Historic Preservation Board, who receive a portion of each ticket sold. 

The Florida based Loomis Bros. Circus has been keeping the circus tradition alive for over twenty years, and this year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever with a world-class cast of both human and animal performers assembled from all corners of the globe. 

Presented in a traditional fashion, the show is over ninety-minutes of family fun featuring three rings of everything you would expect to see in a circus including elephants, tigers, acrobats, clowns, and motorcycle daredevils. This year the circus is excited to feature “Magical Quick Change”, as seen on NBC television’s summer talent series, performed by the amazing Matagirov Duo who come to us all the way from Moscow, Russia. 

“Loomis Bros. Circus is currently the only show touring the United States to still have a full live band, animals, and three rings.” said producer Justin Loomis, who also serves as the show’s singing Ringmaster. 

“The circus is deep seeded in American history and is as much of an American tradition as baseball and apple pie,” Loomis said. “Every child deserves a chance to see the circus! It’s a truly magical place where you can get lost just for a little while and forget about your troubles, a place where even the adults get to feel like a kid again! Don’t miss what could be your last chance to see this living treasure known as circus.” 

Admission to the circus is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-12. Coupons for “Free Kids Tickets” are available at merchants throughout Okaloosa County. There are also a limited number of discounted $10 adult tickets, which include free child’s admission, available for purchase in advance only at retail locations in the area by calling the event’s sponsor at (850) 537-5714 or online by visiting the show’s website at loomiscircus.com. Full priced tickets will be available on the day of show at the circus box office or online. The onsite box office opens one hour prior to each showtime. All seating is general admission and patrons are encouraged to arrive early for best seat selection. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The circus comes to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Crafts at a recent library event focused on animals.

Have a cute photo of your kids out and about? They could be our next The Bulletin Kid! Email a photo with your child's name, age, hometown and a description of the action to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Monkey faces decorated at the library

CRESTVIEW — The activities listed below are scheduled through Nov. 30 in Crestview and surrounding areas. Email details of your upcoming event to news@crestviewbulletin.com to have it listed here.

HAUNTED HERITAGE MINI FESTIVAL: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Museum admission is free that day. Games with prizes, spooky stories, and crafts are planned. There will also be a bake sale and lunch plates for purchase. Call 678-2615 or email info@heritage-museum.org for details.

THE CRESTVIEW FALL FESTIVAL: 1-6 p.m. Oct. 27 along Main Street. A pet costume contest and parade is at 2 p.m., and a costume contest for groups and individuals up to age 18 is at 3 p.m. Vendors may register online at www.downtowncrestview.org. Volunteers are also needed. Several 2-3 hour slots are available; RSVP online.

NORTH OKALOOSA COMMUNITY BAND PERFORMANCE: 2 p.m. Oct. 27 on Main Street in Crestview, during the town's fall festival. The band will present several Halloween-themed musical numbers adapted from Hollywood horror movies. The all-volunteer ensemble features musicians ranging from teenagers to octogenarians and is open to anyone musically inclined who has access to their own musical instruments. No auditions are required. The band rehearses 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Shoal River Middle School, 3200 Redstone Ave. E, Crestview.

TRUNK OR TREAT: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29, in the Crestview Public Library's east parking lot, 1445 Commerce Drive. Call Ginny, 682-4432, to reserve a space. Prizes for best trunk decorations. Call to volunteer or donate candy.

LIVE OAK BAPTIST FALL FESTIVAL: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31, at the church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. The annual event includes food, carnival  games, prizes, inflatables, a hay ride, and a new train ride. Costumes are welcome!

NEW BEGINNINGS FALL FESTIVAL: 4-7 p.m. Nov. 11 at New Beginnings Church, 412 U.S. Highway 90 W., Crestview. The free event includes a bouncy house, dunk tank, games, a cornhole competition, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and boiled peanuts. Call 689-2988 for details. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fall festival activities set for October and November

PRIZE DONATIONS NEEDED: The Crestview Police Department Community Services Division is accepting prize donations for the games night it has with special needs teens and adults in Crestview. Previous prizes were such items as T-shirts, sunglasses, baseball caps, small games, and stuffed animals. Donations of bottle water, soft drinks and snacks are also welcome. take donations to the CPD, Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. 

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Tri-County Community Council, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. 306-1134.

CRESTVIEW SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Serves Mondays through Saturdays. To volunteer at Central Baptist Church, call 682-5525; Our Savior Lutheran Church, 682-3154; LifePoint Church, 682-3518; Community of Christ, 682-7474; First Presbyterian Church, 682-2835; or First United Methodist Church, 682-2018.

SUPPORT CIRCLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS: Meetings take place as follows.

—5-6 p.m. Tuesdays at Shelter House, 120 Woodruff Ave., Suite A, Crestview. This is a Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 683-0845. 

—6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 16 Ferry Road SE, Fort Walton Beach. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 243-1201.

—noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 3590 U.S. Highway 331 S., Suite 102, DeFuniak Springs. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 362-7190.

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. Free items include shoes and other accessories. Presented by Concerned Citizens of Crestview. Details: 689-1582 or 428-6997.

EMPLOY FLORIDA WORKSHOPS: 9-11 a.m. fourth Thursdays of the month at CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach. Learn to conduct job searches on the state system, create a resume, access labor market data for wage, job experience and education requirements for a specific occupation. Learn about Training Grant opportunities, online training courses, and the organization's virtual recruiter.

COLLEGE OFFERS ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: A Florida State University program that offers relief – free of charge – to distressed African-Americans who provide care to a loved one with dementia. It uses trained lay pastoral-care facilitators and is recruiting caregivers in North and Central Florida. ACTS 2 (African-American Alzheimer’s Caregiver Training and Support) won a $20,000 award as well. Caregivers participate in a 12-session, telephone-based skills-building and support program covering topics such as relaxation, effective thinking and problem-solving skills. Call 866-778-2724 toll free, 850-274-4945, or go to www.ACTS2Project.org for details.

SHINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, a Department of Elder Affairs program, seeks volunteers to help elderly residents answer Medicare questions and resolve problems, help them make informed choices about their health insurance, save money on prescription medications and learn about their eligibility for helpful programs. There is no charge for seniors to use the program. Bilingual volunteers are also encouraged to call. Dial 1-800-963-5337 for details.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS WANTED: ECH provides compassionate care through a team of professional staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Just a few hours a month makes an impact. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689- 0300.

SENIORS VS. CRIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Seniors vs. Crime's Crestview office, which assists senior citizens whom someone scammed or took advantage of, needs help. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8. To volunteer, contact Office Manager Joe Loria, 306-3176, or Region 5 Deputy Director JB Whitten, 813-489-5657. Contact 800-203-3099, see www.seniorsvscrime.com, or email crestview@svcproject.org for more information.　

REPORT ELDERS ABUSE: Call the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) if you suspect elderly friends and neighbors are being abused. Many elders may suffer from financial exploitation, neglect or physical or emotional abuse, often caused by family members. The NFAAA is a private, non-profit agency supported by the federal Older Americans Act and the State of Florida General Revenue Fund through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Gwen Rhodes, 494-7100 or rhodesg@nwflaaa.org

UWF ACADEMIC ADVISING: The University of West Florida offers assistance with admissions, academic and degree advising and registration in Crestview. Contact Deborah Cluff, 863-6550, to schedule an appointment for first Thursdays at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1446 Commerce Drive.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE: Need help? Contact the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, 409-3070, www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org; Opportunity Inc., 659-3190; or Helping Hands of Crestview, 428 McLaughlin St., behind First United Methodist Church. Helping Hands is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

WOMEN AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND EDUCATION: a Crestview-based Community Drug and Alcohol Council program that helps pregnant women with substance abuse. 689-4024.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Eligible low-income families can receive financial assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Apply at www.elc-ow.org. Hover over "Services" and click "School Readiness" to register.

FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING: By appointment, Crestview Public Library and Elder Services of Okaloosa County, in Crestview, 494-7101 or 1-866-531-8011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Nonprofit seeks Crestview area lots for families needing housing. 758-0779 or 315-0025.

VA VETERANS CRISIS LINE: Veterans in crisis, their families and friends can call 800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1 to talk with qualified, caring VA responders. Confidential. www.veteranscrisisline.net.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEEDS MENTORS: Adult volunteers spend two hours weekly mentoring children. Pairs go to the library, museum, park or beach, hike, roller-skate or play sports. 664-5437.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS: Group needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

FREE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROPOFF: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Okaloosa County Recycling Office, 80 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa residents may drop off paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, antifreeze, computers, televisions, fluorescent lamps, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, aerosols and printers.

MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida seeks friendly, reliable volunteers to greet guests and answer phones in its gift shop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 678-2615, stop by 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, or email info@heritage-museum.org.

CARS NEEDED: Opportunity Inc. accepts donations of cars, boats and other vehicles to support Opportunity Place, an emergency shelter for families. Shelley Poirrier, 409-3070 or shelley@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org.

SHELTER HOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT: It costs just more than $100 a day to shelter a domestic violence victim. Every little bit helps. 683-0845.

DRIVE VETERANS: Help veterans attend appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola two days a month. Veterans Service Office, 689-5922.

VEHICLES NEEDED: Covenant Hospice accepts cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats and RVs. Qualified professionals pick up vehicles from Pensacola to Tallahassee at convenience. Rachel Mayew, 428-0605.

LAKEVIEW CENTER'S FAMILIES FIRST NETWORK NEEDS BEDS: Donations wanted for local children in protective services. Cribs and beds for children must be in good condition. 833-3840.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa County services calendar

Fall to most people means pumpkin patches, cooler weather, and preparing for the upcoming holiday season. Fall to Okaloosa County 4-H means fair week at the Northwest Florida Fair.

The Okaloosa County 4-H program coordinated the annual 4-H events and had over 100 youth participants from Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton County. The diverse group of exhibit judges this year included past 4-H’ers, Okaloosa County Master Gardeners, the Okaloosa County Farm Bureau president, and extension faculty from both the University of Florida and the University of Georgia.

The 4-H youths ranged from 5-18 years old, from both the community clubs and military clubs. They participated in a variety of animal exhibits and shows, including poultry, rabbit, beef, and meat and dairy goat. They also had the opportunity to participate in a dog show, archery competition, and enter project exhibits.

Animal projects provide the youths with a life skills package that includes responsibility, animal care and feeding, management, and record keeping. Showmanship teaches them communication, self-discipline, social skills, and sportsmanship while also showcasing what they have learned with their project animal.

The newly included archery competition allowed youths to showcase the shooting techniques, problem-solving skills, and discipline they had acquired through the safe, educational, and socially acceptable environments in which they participated in throughout the 4-H year.

Their project exhibits gave them an outlet to express their creativity while educating themselves in the subject matter of their choosing.

The Okaloosa County 4-H program had over 740 youth entries in the various events that allowed them to share their accomplishments and educate the public on their projects.

For more information about of school enrichment programs, in-school/out-of-school clubs, community clubs, or becoming a volunteer please contact us as follows: Taylor Wilken, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, and Katie Oakes, 4-H Program Assistant, UF IFAS Extension Okaloosa County, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview, FL 32539; 689-5850.

Katie Oakes and Taylor Wilken are agents at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida Fair showcases 4-H youths' skills

CRESTVIEW — "Bienvenue" (or "welcome") opened the special council meeting Monday in Warriors Hall with over 100 in attendance including attendees from Crestview's sister city in Noirmoutier-en-l’Île, France.

This meeting marked the beginning of "City Government Week" — a week dedicated to giving the community an opportunity to learn more about city operations.

Although this was a "special" meeting, the council began in regular meeting format with an invocation.

"We open every meeting with an invocation, and some people say, 'Why do you do that'," Whitten said. "We are a Christian country based on Christian principles."

"What we're going to do is walk you through the meeting so you can see what we do," Whitten said. "Normally, we have very long, boring meetings. Tonight, we will have a short boring meeting."

The council business portion of the meeting was quick with only one item discussed, an out-of-city water service petition by Crestview residents, which passed unanimously with all members present.

Mayor David Cadle then stood before the crowd and read a proclamation designating this week as "City Government Week" for 2018.

"I encourage the citizens of this city to become involved in the activities of your local government thereby enhancing the quality of life in your community," Cadle said.

A large portion of the crowd consisted of groups the council recognized.

After the council recognized their groups, Cadle read the "Sister City Proclamation," but not before taking a moment to honor the community for assisting in Hurricane Michael relief efforts.

"Let me thank each one of you for the heart you gave to our friends and relatives in the Panama City area," Cadle said. "We can go home this evening in comfort, and they're looking at months and years of rebuilding … We will keep them in our prayers."

Noël Faucher, the mayor of Noirmoutier, and Cadle exchanged gifts from each city.

"On Saturday, as I was telling you, we had a barbecue right at this very spot," Cadle said as he held a framed photo of Northwest Florida State College Robert L. F. Sikes Education Center.

They dedicated a garden to Noirmoutier called  "Le Jardin de Noirmoutier," the mayor said.

Faucher gave a speech with the help of a professor of English at a university in Noirmoutier.

"These exchanges have allowed our young French citizens to come here and discover your culture," Faucher said. "… Part of their dream was the American dream to come and check what they had seen for so many years in television and their books and their songs."

The gift from Noirmoutier was a painting of a sea buoy that leads to Noirmoutier "showing you the way."

The night concluded with what many of the boy and girl scouts had been waiting for — cake.

The Crestview Police Department, Crestview Fire Department, council members, and other department heads had booths set up with information for attendees interested in learning and asking questions.

The city will continue having events throughout the week.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Over 100 in attendance as city council kicks off City Government Week