CRESTVIEW — The time to begin filing tax returns is just around the corner.

To help low- to moderate-income households, the Crestview JobsPlus will host free income tax preparation, by appointment, starting Jan. 30.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA, serves households annually earning $51,000 or less.

"The idea is that if someone can come to a free site and get their taxes done, than that is money that they saved," Elaine Courtney, a University of Florida Okaloosa County Extension Office agent, said. "It will be a service to those that need it in the community." 

The VITA program has been available to service members living on Okaloosa military bases, but this is the first time all the county’s residents may participate.

"There were two (counties) in Florida that didn't have VITA (last year), and we were one of them," Courtney said. The other county was Gadsden.

Crestview’s VITA program currently has seven IRS-trained and certified volunteers to help qualified households prepare their tax returns.

However, more volunteers are needed.

"The more volunteers we have, the more hours we will be able to staff," Courtney said.

Time is of the essence, organizers said.

"People can volunteer on different levels from greeters to tax preparers," Rita Smith, the career agency’s manager, said. "We just ask that they contact us as soon as possible so we can get them into training."

 Holly McCarroll, an IRS tax consultant, said VITA training primarily is web-based. Call Courtney at 689-5850 or email ecourtne@ufl.edu to apply for training.

"Depending on their comfort level, (the training period) can be anywhere from a couple of days to a week or so," she said.

The agency is a fitting site, McCarroll said.

“It’s the perfect location for the VITA program because our audience is the same people that they serve," she said. Many residents use the agency’s online workshops and attend its workshops to find employment.

In addition to volunteers, VITA coordinators also seek donations.

"We are going to need paper to print returns," Courtney said. The program also could use more ink cartridges. 

Need tax assistance?

Contact the JobsPlusin Crestview, 689-7823, beginning Jan. 30. JobsPlus is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Want to volunteer?

Call Elaine Courtney, a University of Florida Okaloosa County Extension Office agent, at 689-5850. Email her at ecourtne@ufl.edu.

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: Free tax preparation for low-income residents coming Jan. 30

To piggyback on reference librarian Sandra Dreaden’s “happiness project” in a previous Check It Out, Jamie Mitchell visited Lap Sit to fulfill her New Year’s resolution.

I am delighted she chose to participate in Lap Sit with her 1-year-old daughter, Katie. Jamie, a local Realtor, said she enjoys her job’s flexibility.

I am sure her New Year’s resolution could double as a happiness project!

If you’d like to make this your happiness project, we have opportunities in the mornings for those with flexible schedules like Jamie, and in the evenings and on Saturdays for those with less flexible schedules.

Call 682-4432, come to the library or visit cityofcrestview.org/library.php for a full listing.

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The library is closed today (Jan. 21) due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

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DULCIMER HOEDOWN, UPCOMING EVENTS

We will host a dulcimer hoedown Jan. 29. The Pelican Pickers will fill Warriors Hall with Appalachian, old-time and gospel music, playing Appalachian mountain lap dulcimers.

They augment their sound with banjo, mandolin, guitar, Irish penny whistles, fiddle, harmonica, Native American flute, recorder and silver flute.

The songs — most of which come from the 1800s or early 1900s — start at 7 p.m. and will end around 8:30 p.m.

Evening Library Time is designed for adults and children 5 years old and up. Bring a finger food to share. Registration is not required for this free event.

STAFF PICK

“I Want to Be a Vet,” by Daniel Liebman, uses simple text and photographs to describe the work of veterinarians around the world.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: More information on the Happiness Project

CRESTVIEW — A Bob Sikes Elementary School fourth-grader received a surprise on Christmas Eve when a mysterious manila envelope arrived at her grandparents’ Garden City home.

A U.S. Postal Service barcode sticker obscured the return address.

Curious, Justice Livingston’s grandmother, Pat Mosely, peeled back the sticker. Underneath was imprinted “The White House, Washington, D.C.”

“‘Justice!’ she shouted and I came running — ‘Yes? Yes?” Justice said.

Justice had written to President Barack Obama in late October wishing him luck in the November elections.

“I told him I had been keeping up with him and I thought he had done a good job,” she said.

It wasn’t her first correspondence from the president. She had written to him soon after his first inauguration, when she was a kindergartner, and was excited then to have received a card from the White House.

This time, a cascade of items fell from the envelope.

In addition to a photo of Obama, there was a smaller picture of Bo, the first dog; a brochure describing a typical day in Bo’s life, including photos of him romping with the first family; another brochure about the White House and its history; and “a letter signed by President Obama in ink!” Justice said, proudly displaying the now-framed missive.

Monday, she will get to see the president in person.

Her cousins, Crestview natives Libby Lewis-Reeves, Tawanah Reeves and Master Sgt. Tonya Lewis, will take her to Washington, D.C., for Obama’s inauguration and the subsequent inaugural parade. They also plan some sightseeing, Justice said.

“They (the girl’s cousins) just adore Justice,” Mosely said. “One is coming from Atlanta, one from Orlando and one is in the Army in Kentucky.”

“I want to see the Washington Monument,” Justice said. “I can’t wait! Two days in paradise! I’m not excited about the cold, but I’m excited.”

Mosely said she and her husband, Howard, encourage Justice to take an active interest in local and national affairs and to care about other people.

“We want Justice to be real civic-minded and help people in the community,” Mosely said. “She has a good start.”

Justice ran for fourth-grade class president, and though she didn’t win, she is involved with the student government and intends to toss her hat in the ring at the next opportunity.

Last fall, Justice started the Brownstone Manor News, a newsletter for her subdivision. In it, she welcomes newcomers and introduces them and their pets to their new neighbors. During the holidays, the newsletter — whose circulation has grown from six copies to 27 — launched a Toys for Tots drive. She later delivered the toys to City Hall.

Justice intends to prepare a report on her experiences at Monday’s inaugural events for classmates in Pat English’s fourth-grade class. And she’s already composing a reply toObama’s letter, in which he encouraged her civic involvement.

“I’m going to tell him I support him on gun control and the nation has to, too,” Justice said.

Obama on Wednesday presented a $500 million proposal to curb gun violence like the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, Conn. The plan would ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines and would require background checks for all gun sales, according to the Associated Press.

The National Rifle Association opposes most of the president’s plan, which faces “a doubtful future in a divided Congress where Republicans control the House,” the AP reports.

Justice offered advice for other students contemplating writing a letter to the president; she said the first time they write, they may not receive the number of enclosures she received.

“Don’t be afraid and just try and hope for the best,” she said. “Put some feeling and details into it. Be serious in what you’re saying and be true and meaningful.”

“And that’s very important whenever you’re talking to people,” Mosely reminded her granddaughter. “Always be true and sincere.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview fourth-grader to watch inauguration in Washington D.C.

CRESTVIEW — Debbie and Lamar Stephens, of Crestview, announce the April 20, 2013 wedding of their daughter, Tiffani, to Stephen Schmidt of Troy, Ala.

Tiffani is a 2005 Florida State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies. She serves as Troy University’s High School and Community College Relations director and pursues her master’s degree in strategic communications through Troy University.

Stephen is the son of Dr. John and Vicki Schmidt, of Pike Road, Ala. He is a 2005 Troy University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in design, technology and industry. He is a webmaster at Troy University.

The wedding ceremony will be at First Baptist Church in Crestview.

The News Bulletin publishes north Okaloosa County residents' engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements at no charge. Submissions may be edited for length and style. Call 682-6524 or email news@crestviewbulletin.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: WEDDING: Stephens and Schmidt planning April ceremony

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Rosalynn Carter to speak at Chautauqua Assembly

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — When Col. Mark Fluker arrived in 2009 to help set up maintenance operations for the military’s newest and most expensive fighter jet, he had a staff of only nine people.

The entire 33rd Fighter Wing, in fact, had only 60 people, mostly high-level command staff.

They were tasked with building the F-35 program from the ground up. When Fluker arrived, the now state-of-the-art airplane hangars weren’t just empty, they didn’t exist. A lone I-beam had been put in place.

Today, the wing has grown to 1,500 people. As commander of maintenance operations, Fluker oversees about 390 maintainers who work on a fleet of 22 F-35s, the largest in the world.

On Friday, Fluker, 51, will step down from his post, his first move toward retirement this summer after 30 years in the air force.

Navy Capt. Lance Massey, the maintenance group’s deputy commander, will take over.

Fluker’s years at the forefront of putting the new F-35 into action have been the highlight of his career, he said.

“This has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said Wednesday. “There is no other place I’d rather be in the Air Force than right here.”

Building a program from scratch had its challenges.

Fluker was rushed to Eglin in August 2009 to serve as deputy commander of maintenance in advance of the arrival of the F-35s. That didn’t come for more than two years because of cost overruns and performance problems.

“It was very frustrating, but it turned out it was probably a good thing, all said and done,” he said.

The team was able to work through a lot of problems before the first aircraft arrived.

They pored over newly developed maintenance manuals and sent back corrections that would make the procedures safer and more efficient.

Several maintainers were shipped off to test units to learn about the jets.

They made improvements to the hangar and built a tire and wheel repair shop.

Finally, in July 2011, the first F-35 touched down at Eglin. They were ready.

Seventh months later, in March 2012, the jet took to the sky.

In the nine months since, the 33rd has been able to fly more than 1,000 hours in the F-35, said Col. Andrew Toth, the wing’s commander.

“This is a commendable achievement that could not have been accomplished without (Col. Fluker’s) unwavering dedication and leadership,” Toth said.

Maintenance for those first flights took great leadership and responsibility on behalf of everyone working to service the planes, including the newer staff sergeants and senior airmen, Fluker said.

“I am immensely proud of those guys, down to the youngest one,” he said. “They have really proven how professional they are.”

He said some of the younger guys were given a high level of responsibility that they might not have gotten in other air force jobs because they were working with such a new aircraft.

They are charged with maintaining a $150 million jet, the world’s most expensive fighter. That comes with the need to report to high-ranking officials on maintenance issues and all the challenges they face, Fluker said.

“I’ve got a 19 year-old standing tall and briefing and telling a general all about the airplane,” Fluker said. “Every time I see it, it just makes me proud.”

The maintainers are the often unsung heroes of the fighter jet. No pilot could take to the sky without them, Fluker said.

Every flight requires eight to nine maintainers to work about five-and-a-half hours to prepare an F-35 for takeoff. That’s if nothing goes wrong.

Using several complicated computer systems, they check for discrepancies and make sure every system is working properly. They walk around the airplane to look for aberrations and leaks, check gauges and tire pressure, and replace parts or refill fluids.

Then the plane is service ready, but not yet set for takeoff. Another round of checks is conducted with the pilot in the cockpit. As a final precaution, they roll the plane forward to check the underside of the tires.

 “Then we go launch that airplane,” Fluker said.

One highlight for Fluker was when the group designed its own training procedure to certify maintainers to do their own engine runs. Now they don’t have to call a pilot in to power up the plane to check if a repair they made did the trick.

 “Nobody else in the Air Force does that,” he said.

The training center at Eglin should start graduating maintainers next January. Lt. Gen. Christopher Bodgan, the F-35 program director, said recently that Eglin will remain the “center of the universe” for the jet’s maintenance training.

Toth said Fluker’s greatest accomplishment was helping bring a fledgling program to fruition.

 “When Col. Fluker arrived over three years ago, what you see here around the 33rd Fighter Wing — in terms of personnel, structures and F-35 aircraft — was only a vision,” he said. “His greatest feat was helping make that vision a concrete reality.”

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Sage Reinlie at 850-315-4440 or lreinlie@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenRnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Col. Mark Fluker to step down as F-35 maintenance chief

CRESTVIEW — The U.S. Air Force’s 919th Special Operations Wing, or SOW, inducted six community leaders in its honorary commander program Jan. 12 at Duke Field.

The program pairs inductees with commanders, allowing them “to visit the 919th Special Operations Wing and learn about (its mission and its Air Force Reserve role in) national defense and support personnel involved in worldwide operations,” said Dan Neely, a 919 public information officer.

“Our mission is to employ specialized personnel and to equip and support the community of us special operations commanders and geographical combatant commanders in the execution of world special operations.”

The unit has approximately 1,300 personnel, Neely said.

The wing commander takes his place at the top, followed by the wing command chief and the Mission Support Group, Operations Group, Maintenance Group and Medical Squadron.

Wing commanders annually select applicants recognized as leaders in their community, whether they are civilian or otherwise, “though many are members of the Chamber of Commerce,” Neely said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 919th Special Operations Wing inducts six new members

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CRESTVIEW — The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge is in the process of purchasing the former Sasquatch Zoo, and needs a little help along the way.

The zoo is expected to reopen as the Emerald Coast Wildlife Zoological Park in mid-February, pending license approval, officials said.

"This is the first time (the refuge) has taken on a task like this," Amanda Wilkerson, the refuge’s executive director, said.

The not-for-profit organization primarily volunteers efforts in rehabilitating Florida’s orphaned, injured and endangered species “in accordance with good wildlife management practices," the group’s official website, ecwildliferefuge.com, states.

The refuge seeks assistance in preparations for the re-opening.

"We are asking for volunteers to help with a variety of things including landscaping … we could definitely use a professional landscaper and (an) electrician," Wilkerson said.

Although some specialized help is required, the refuge welcomes anyone interested to contact volunteer supervisor Susan Leveille at 850-650-1880.

"We will have a project for everyone that comes," Wilkerson said, adding only adult volunteers are needed.

Wilkerson expressed gratitude for those who have shown their support by volunteering. Volunteers this month have been meeting at the zoo on Saturdays. Nearly 25 volunteers showed up to participate on Jan. 5, Wilkerson said.

The Sasquatch Zoo — established in 1987 near Shoal River — moved to Deer Springs Drive two years later after flooding. It houses more than a hundred animals including lions, bears and monkeys.

Debbie Mattox — who has managed the zoo since it opened — contacted the refuge when she decided to retire.

"I wanted to find a way to keep the zoo here for the community," she said, adding county officials referred her to the refuge.

The zoo closed at the end of December to allow the refuge and volunteers to work.

It was a win-win situation for the refuge and the zoo’s inhabitants, for which Mattox deeply cares, she said.

"I have raised most of the animals since they were infants. They are like my children to me,” she said.

Mattox and her husband, Bill Bitsche, plan to stay involved with zoo operations after the transition.

Especially since they live next door.

"I joked with the refuge that they would have to keep me away with a broom," Mattox said.

She particularly anticipates additions.

The refuge will add "animal ambassadors" after the zoo re-opens; details will be released later, Wilkerson said.

The park also will add a summer educational program and new exhibits.

The refuge still will need help maintaining the park and its inhabitants after the zoo re-opens, officials said.

Want to go?

Contact Susan Leveille, volunteer coordinator, 650-1880 or sleveille@ecwildliferefuge.com, to volunteer at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Zoological Park.

The zoo is at 5262 Deer Springs Drive in Crestview.

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: Developing zoo seeks volunteers