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Poetry and music open mic events planned for March and April

Written by archive on March 7, 2013. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — The next Crestview Public Library open-mic night for poets and musicians is 6 p.m. March 12. The event is free and open to the public.

This month's poetry starter: Imagine a world that has one major difference from ours and write a poem about it.

The library is planning a poetry slam with prizes and other activities to celebrate National Poetry Month in April. Visit the March 12 open-mic night to learn more.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Poetry and music open mic events planned for March and April

Cold weather shelter opens tonight in Crestview

Written by archive on March 7, 2013. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — The weather shelter at New Beginnings Church, 412 W. James Lee Blvd. will open tonight — March 7 — at 6 p.m.

Weather shelters remain open until 8 a.m. the following morning

The Okaloosa County Cold Weather Shelter Program provides protection during freezing weather. Shelters remain open until 8 a.m. the next morning.

Program organizers estimate approximately 50 to 65 individuals take advantage of the shelters each time one opens.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cold weather shelter opens tonight in Crestview

Three ways to vote in Crestview and Laurel Hill elections

Written by archive on March 5, 2013. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — As Crestview and Laurel Hill’s municipal elections quickly approach, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux says voters have three ways to vote — early, by mail or at the polls.

•Early voting is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 2-9 at the Supervisor of Elections Offices, 302 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

• Vote by mail. Request absentee ballots early by telephone, email, mail, in person or by visiting www.govote-okaloosa.com. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Third-party pick-up by a designated immediate family member is allowed four days before Election Day. Today is the last day to request a ballot to be mailed to you.

• Vote on election day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 12. You must vote in the precinct in which you live. Check your status before you vote, Lux said. Visit the Supervisor of Elections website and use the Voter Lookup Tool to find your precinct, update your voter registration information, request an absentee ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot, view sample ballots and future election dates, and view a map and obtain directions to your polling place.

Florida Statutes require you to show photo and signature identification when you vote in person, whether early or at the polls.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Three ways to vote in Crestview and Laurel Hill elections

Despite weather, residents bring pets to ‘Bark for Life’ (GALLERY)

Written by archive on March 5, 2013. Posted in local, News.

BAKER — Despite cold weather, event organizers are pleased with attendance of this year’s Bark for Life, a Relay for Life fundraiser that benefited the American Cancer Society.

Attendance for Southside Animal Hospital’s event, which took place at the Baker Recreation Center, was down from last year, but participants still helped raise around $600 for cancer research, organizers said.

Around 45 people attended Bark for Life, according to Vanessa Hehl, the Purr-fect Pacers’ team captain and Southside’s receptionist, said.

"Our numbers were down from last year; I honestly think it was from the weather," she said. "But it was $600 they (ACS) didn't have."

Last year's event collected nearly $1,300 for the ACS.

Dogs of different sizes and breeds, from boxers to poodles, were brought to the event. Even some cats, which were up for adoption from the Pet Welfare Adoption center, braved the barks.

While some attended for the second time, this year's event was a first for others.

"This has been fun, I have enjoyed this," said Margie Palanas, who brought both her daughters and the family’s dogs, Duke and Junior.

"This is good for them to be around other dogs," Palanas said.

Crestview resident Becky Davidson brought her American bulldog, Bella, to the event.

"We came to the one last year and had a great time," Davidson said. "We just have fun with all dogs and the kids — a lot of good entertainment."

The event had several activities for pets and kids. While dogs were encouraged to run through the training course, or get their nails trimmed by Southside staff, kids could jump around in a bounce house or have their faces painted.

Bark for Life is one of many events that Davidson attends to support cancer research.

"They are all for a good cause; hopefully, one day they will find a cure," she said, adding that she has lost a family member to cancer and two relatives are cancer survivors.

The animal hospital organized the event after a coworker at the veterinary clinic had a close call, Hehl said.

"We kinda had cancer hit close to home with Kim (Hathcock); luckily, hers was benign," she said. "We started seeing a lot of our good clients battling cancer.

"It’s just all for a great cause no matter what," Hehl said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Despite weather, residents bring pets to ‘Bark for Life’ (GALLERY)

CHECK IT OUT: See this Lincoln information source

Written by archive on March 5, 2013. Posted in local, News.

The 2,100-page encyclopedic “Lincoln Library of Essential Information,” now in its 44th edition and 89th year, commemorates Abraham Lincoln, whose example demonstrated self-education’s possibilities.

As Lincoln said, "A capacity, and taste, for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key, or one of the keys, to the already solved problems. And not only so. It gives a relish, and facility, for successfully pursuing the unsolved ones."

FactCite.com, which features content from The Lincoln Library, contains thousands of full-text articles of extensive historical, biographic and reference material. It is divided into five subject areas:

•American history

•Biographies

•Sports

•Greek and Roman mythology

•Essential information

Featured pages include "Explore the 50 States" and "Countries and Cultures of the World” — both great sources for homework help.

FactCite is featured on our library website, cityofcrestview.org/library.php, on the Electronic Resources page. Your 14-digit library card barcode is required for access.

LapSit

Today at 10:15 a.m. is one of my favorite LapSit programs of the year — "Bedtime" — because the children, parents and staff may come in their pajamas, robes and slippers. So if you've never seen our Mike in his Korean "hanbok" you may want to stop by today!

Plant lecture March 21

Dennis Mitchell, a qualified environmental professional and retired Troy University professor, will be the guest speaker for the March 21 Friends of the Crestview Library meeting.

Mitchell will educate attendees on local poisonous plants, including one with a 2,000-year-old story involving this country’s colonial times and some famous Americans.

The program begins at 10:30 a.m. and everyone is invited to attend.

Free financial courses

A free "Investments 101" series, with financial adviser Joe Faulk, is on six consecutive Mondays, 6-7 p.m. April 15 through May 20.

Class topics include:

•Take Stock in the Market

•IRAs: Retirement Can Be Less Taxing

•A Smart Start to Mutual Funds

•Focus on Fixed Income

•Tax-Free Investing

•Retirement by Design

Registration is not required, but the first 20 to reserve a seat and attend that evening will receive free workbooks. You may attend any or all classes. Call 682-8844 to register.

Book sale begins April 5

Mark your calendar for the next Friends of the Library book sale April 5, 6 and 7. A $2 admission charge for non-Friends members applies for the 5-8 p.m. Friday early bird sale, but you may join at the door.

The Saturday and Sunday sales run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is an especially large selection of large-print books for this sale only.

‘Going Green’ April 2

Next month’s First Tuesday installment, "Going Green: What You Can Do at Home," will be presented by Tina Gainey of Greenway Saves. The event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. April 2.

Sandra Dreaden is the Crestview Public Library's reference librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: See this Lincoln information source

Baker woman injured in I-10 crash

Written by archive on March 4, 2013. Posted in local, News.

Theresa Diane Rainey, who is 52, was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries following the 9:10 a.m. crash.

She was heading westbound on the interstate when she veered off toward the median a guardrail that separates two overpasses for Pine Forest Road. Her Dodge pickup went through the guardrail and struck a car on Pine Forest Road.

The driver of that car, Tanya Marie Bray of Cantonment, was not injured.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker woman injured in I-10 crash

Son’s pending stem cell transplant leaves parents strapped

Written by archive on March 4, 2013. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — Uriah Oldacre knows that when his father is mowing the lawn he can’t go outside. When he’s caught a fish he can’t touch it and when he’s at the river he can only look at the water, never play in it.

The 5-year-old boy from DeFuniak Springs knows his limits because he has chronic granulomatous disease, a rare genetic disorder that prevents his immune system cells from functioning properly.

“There are things he wants to do, especially at the age he’s at, but he can’t do them,” Uriah’s mother, 29-year-old Jessica Oldacre, said at her son’s day care center in Crestview. “That’s why we are going through with the stem cell transplant.”

In May, the small brown-haired boy will undergo transplant surgery that will enable him to attend public school, play football and live a relatively normal life for a person with an immune deficiency.

“I’m scared to death,” said Uriah’s father, 30-year-old John Oldacre. “If you look at him, he looks healthy, happy. It’s a very scary thing to know your son has to have a transplant. I don’t really know how to prepare for that one.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, one in 200,000 people have Uriah’s hereditary disease, which leaves them susceptible to even the slightest infections.

His parents say the surgery is the best way to ensure he lives a long life.

The procedure is predicted to cost upwards of $30,000 after insurance, and his parents are asking for help to raise the money.

“They’re going to have to live in Bethesda, Md., until Uriah is able to come home, which will be about three months,” said Uriah’s maternal grandmother, Sue Lusk. “It’s not something they can afford.”

Uriah will be in the hospital for at least one month after the surgery. Then he and his parents will have to live off-site for another two months. Unlike families who can use hospital-funded facilities, Uriah must avoid any possible infections, which adds to the cost.

“I got in touch with COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association), and they’ve helped with fundraising ideas,” Jessica said. “Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. We’ve got a few things in the works, then at the end of April we’ll see where we are when the dust settles.

“We’ll do what we have to do.”

Coming up is a bowling tournament April 20 at Shoal River Lanes Bowling, a golf tournament at DeFuniak Springs Country Club and a softball tourney in April. Jessica said COTA also has set up a website for donations to go through.

“Every dollar is accounted for by COTA and it’s all so that we can get Uriah this transplant and be there with him,” Jessica said.

WANT TO HELP?

Visit Uriah Oldacre’s website at www.cotaforuriaho.com.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Son’s pending stem cell transplant leaves parents strapped

Crestview Police Department offers child safety seat check

Written by archive on March 1, 2013. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — The Police Department will offer a free child safety seat inspection March 16.

The inspections will be in the parking lot of the Crestview police station at 201 Stillwell Boulevard.

Child safety technicians will show parents and guardians how to properly install and use safety seats. Seats may be given to those who attend.

The Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, Beyond Just Buckled and the Panhandle chapter of SafeKids USA are sponsoring the inspections.

Anyone who cannot attend can contact Officer Brian Muhlbach at 682-3544 or muhlbachb@crestviewpd.org with questions or to schedule a seat inspection at another time.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Police Department offers child safety seat check

CHECK IT OUT: Career Transitions is a source for job seekers

Written by archive on February 28, 2013. Posted in local, News.

Need help revamping your resume?

Want to know how you should dress during a job interview?

Let Career Transitions, one of the Crestview Public Library’s free online databases, be the reliable and comprehensive guide for your job search.

All you need is a valid library card to access this free resource.

Access cityofcrestview.org/library.php, click on “Electronic Resources,” and then click on the “Career Transitions” icon toward the middle of the screen. Career Transitions has a helpful template under the “Write a Resume” link that allows you to plug in your job history to create a complete resume. You don’t have to worry about the formatting — the software takes care of that.

From learning what to do after an interview to searching for available jobs and internships in the area, Career Transitions will be your guide to finding and landing a job.

Staff Picks

“Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative” by Austin Kleon

Think you lack creativity? Have you thought that being creative was something only a lucky few were “born with?”

Writer and artist Austin Kleon tells us that, like science, creativity is something built upon like a snowball. Artistry comprises ideas that have been “swiped” and reconstructed into something that is a bit different and looked upon in a fresh way.

Kleon encourages us to take inspiration from our surroundings and other artists to create something that will inspire others.

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's assistant library director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Career Transitions is a source for job seekers

Officials investigating suspicious Crestview fire

Written by archive on February 28, 2013. Posted in local, News.

CRESTVIEW — Firefighters were at the scene of a suspicious fire for nearly 16 hours Wednesday and Thursday.

First responders were called to 604 South Wilson Street at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday when smoke and flames were spotted in the abandoned home, according to Crestview Fire Battalion Chief Marquis Johnson.

At the time, the home did not have any power.

Johnson said the home was a total loss and estimated $15,000 in damages were caused. Officials were at the fire scene until 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Officials investigating suspicious Crestview fire

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