CRESTVIEW — WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, will present a film screening for "American Creed."

The event — set 7–9 p.m. Thursday at the Elegant Vue Event Center, 544 Main St., Crestview — is free to attend.

Around the country, people are talking about how Americans are divided as a nation. The documentary asks the question, "In a fractured nation, what ideals do we share in common?"

Two collaborators, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David M. Kennedy and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, teamed up to investigate the idea of a unifying American creed.

Through stories from around the country, the documentary wrestles with immigration and assimilation; the dwindling economic prospects of many people in a nation that aspires to opportunity for all; the notion that individual ambition and achievement can raise up communities; and the meaning of citizenship and the challenge of meaningful civic participation and dialogue.

WSRE was one of 10 public television stations selected for hosting community events in conjunction with the film’s national premiere.

The station is offering three ways to join the national conversation sparked by this film:

A storytelling project going on now through March 1

The free film screening of "American Creed" on Thursday in Crestview

A Public Square Speakers Series screening featuring Tegan Griffith and Terrence Davenport (from the film) on Feb. 20 in Pensacola

See wsre.org/AmericanCreed for more information.

WHAT: Film screening for "American Creed"

WHEN: 7–9 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Elegant Vue Event Center, 544 Main St., Crestview

COST: Free

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free film screening scheduled

CRESTVIEW — The AAU Hub City Lakers travel basketball team has scheduled tryouts for their 2018 season.

Interested players can attend 11 a.m. Saturday at Richburg gym, located at 500 Alabama St., Crestview.

The Lakers Amateur Athletic Union team is based in Northwest Florida.

Call Coach Dave Loggins, 376-6212, or Coach Morion James, 398-0245, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hub City Lakers set basketball tryouts

CRESTVIEW — Cub Scout Pack 799 presented their annual Pinewood Derby on Feb. 10 in Crestview. 

Each scout, with his parents, designed and built the car they raced; the car could not weigh more than 5 ounces, according to BoysLife.org, the website for Boy Scouts of America's magazine.

Parents participated in a chili cook-off during Saturday's race. The Pinewood Derby winner from each age group will go to the district race.

Results per group (listed by place, name and time) were as follows:

PLACE; TIME; SPEED; RACER　

ARROW OF LIGHT

1. 13.3650; 178.55; Riley Barton

2. 13.9205; 171.43; Jacek Zamorski

3. 14.2469; 167.50; Sean Stout

4. 14.3087; 166.78; Bryan Beaty

5. 14.7966; 161.28; Brodie Arnett

6. 14.8770; 160.41; Joshua Betanlourt

BEARS

1. 13.1376; 181.64; Anthony Barnett

2. 13.4448; 177.49; Nathan Duenas

3. 14.5024; 164.55; Darrin Jamie

4. 14.5026; 164.55; Christopher Martin

TIGERS

1. 12.9310; 184.55; Blake Little

2. 13.2904; 179.56; Colton Akers

3. 13.4280; 177.72; Connor Gray

4. 13.8896; 171.81; Logan Minick

5. 14.7183; 162.14; Alex Faraci

6. 14.7872; 161.38; Jason Penney

WEBLOS

1. 13.2199; 180.51; Thomas Chambliss

2. 13.7124; 174.03; Gavin Williams

3. 13.8267; 172.59; Marek Celinski

4. 13.9556; 171.00; Bryce Zamorski

5. 16.0920; 148.30; Logan Johnson

WOLVES

1. 13.4855; 176.96; Jackob Raymond

2. 13.5177; 176.54; Mason Rushing

3. 14.4405; 165.25; Samuel Lane

4. 14.6629; 162.75; Issac Cummins

5. 15.6946; 152.05; Aiden West

6. 15.8349; 150.70; Isaac Johnson

Pack 799 thanks the American Legion Post 75 for letting the Scouts use their hall for Saturday’s race, and Boy Scout Troop 773, which had some Scouts come over and help.

SHOUT OUT!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: …AND THEY'RE OFF!

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce schedules events each month for members.

Here’s a look at February’s events. 

RIBBON CUTTINGS:

The chamber has scheduled the following ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

• Waffle House (South): 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at 3804 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.
• Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union: 5 p.m. Thursday at 1239 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.
• State Farm-Tiffany Woodam Agency: noon Friday at 938 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview. Light snacks will be provided.

PILOT COMMITTEE: Professional and Inspired Leaders of Tomorrow will meet 3 p.m. Friday at Samuel’s Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

PILOT’s mission is to encourage and enhance professional development in young leaders of the Crestview community, those ages 21-41, by providing social interaction and networking opportunities; by presenting topics related to personal and professional enhancement; and by participating in civic duties and activities to strengthen and develop the community.

AMBASSADORS ‘LET'S DO LUNCH’: 11:30 a.m. Feb. 20 at Hot Head Burritos in Crestview. Chamber members can network and enjoy lunch in an informal, no-pressure setting. 

Members can invite a friend, a co-worker or someone who is thinking about joining the chamber.

RSVP to ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE MEETING: 8:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Crestview Chamber, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

If you are a member of the chamber, then you are a member of the Ambassadors Committee. Meeting attendees will learn all about the chamber’s latest happenings.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Chamber sets February events

VALPARAISO — The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will present its quarterly field trip tour for home-school students and their families.

"Historic Technology" is 1-2:30 p.m. Friday at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Students will learn how technology has evolved through the years, what a simple machine is, and how machines are used to push and pull, making work and other tasks easier for humans. To reinforce the lesson, students will make and demonstrate catapults.

The cost to attend is $8 per student; ($6 for Museum Family Members). One parent or teacher per family enters free; the cost is $3 per additional adult. Children age 4 and under also enter free; the cost is $3 each for them to participate in a hands-on activity.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Historic Technology’ home school tour scheduled

The Better Business Bureau Foundation of Northwest Florida seeks businesses and charities to participate in its 13th annual Torch Award for Ethics program.

The Torch Award publicly recognizes businesses and charities that maintain a commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical manner.

BBB Accreditation is not required to enter; however, applicants must be physically located within the 14-county service area of BBB of Northwest Florida. Charities must have participated in BBB of Northwest Florida’s Charity Review Program within the past two years.

The BBB will contact all nominees for an on-site visit. This provides an opportunity for entrants to display the ways they incorporate ethics and integrity into their business practices.

Along with the Torch Award, BBB Foundation will award the Customer Service Excellence Award, for individuals who go beyond in their customer service activities, and Student Ethics Scholarships will be awarded to high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate leadership, community service and overall personal integrity.

The application deadline for all awards is March 30. Self-nominations are encouraged. 

An entry form is available at bbb.org/nwfl/torchaward, or call 429-0002 or 800-729-9226.

Guidelines for entries, including scholarship information, are available on the website.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Entries sought for business ethics award

CRESTVIEW — A long-time employee at Crestview Manor is retiring.

Ernestine Edmunds, known as Dean, began working at the Pearl Street facility when it first opened its doors.

"She for 35 years cared [for] or touched the lives of 5,000 elder, fragile and at-risk residents, working the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift," Director Becky Brice-Nash said. "She never called out (took a day off), and cared, did laundry, comforted and was a good ear to lean on.

"She loved the residents the most. I've known her for eight years and she has always been the foundation of the manor. She saved many lives and was there when God called (his) angels to heaven."

Crestview Manor is a non-profit assisted living facility with 65 licensed beds, according to FloridaHealthFinder.gov.

Edmunds' last day working there was Feb. 2. Relatives, fellow staff members and residents recognized her years of service with cake and other refreshments.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'She saved many lives'

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Commission on Wednesday approved financing for phase three of the PJ Adams Parkway project.

The project will add two lanes along the road from Highway 85 to Wild Horse Drive, turning about a mile into a four-lane road.

Construction was broken into four phases while the commission sorted out funding. Wednesday's decision accelerated the project, so construction will begin for the first three phases simultaneously.

Construction should start by the end of the year, County Commissioner Nathan Boyles said.

There will be some inconvenience for drivers, he said, but the road will remain open.

"It will be far less inconvenient than not doing the project," Boyles said. "The short-term pain will be more than worth the long-term gain. We'll avoid major gridlock."

County Engineer Scott Bitterman agreed that the project was necessary despite any construction woes.

"Any roadway construction is inconvenient," he said. "But it will be well worth the inconvenience."

The benefit of starting all three phases at the same time is there will be a "shorter total duration when the roadway is under construction," Bitterman said.

Phase four of the project is delayed until more funding becomes available, according to the commissioners.

Once construction on the road begins, it will last for about a year, Bitterman said.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: PJ Adams widening expected to begin by year's end

CRESTVIEW — Library Class attendees recently learned to make their own valentines at the Crestview library.

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.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Working on valentines

CRESTVIEW — Bridgeway Center Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer Daniel Cobbs has announced his plan to retire from BCI on July 31.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously in January that Bonnie R. Barlow, BCI’s current chief operating officer, will become chief executive officer Aug. 1.

She has been with BCI for approximately 30 years, with 27 years of management experience responsibilities. She will ensure continuity of leadership and the successful trajectory Cobbs created for the organization.

BCI’s top six achievements over the past 25 years are:

•National accreditation awards for 24 consecutive years.

•Behavioral Insight Interviewing technique for a cohesive talented, diverse BCI workforce.

•Transformation to Information Technology systems in all areas to be paperless, with electronic documentation for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

•Strategic partnership with ABH of Lakeview Center, Inc. and Chautauqua Health Services for a "full risk" contract with Medicaid health maintenance organizations capitation. This requires that BCI pay for behavioral health inpatient hospital admissions for Okaloosa residents.

•On-site pharmacy services at BCI outpatient locations in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview.

•Creation of the Children’s Specialty Services for Coordination of Care with Early Childhood Court, and the activation of BCI’s Community Action Team. The CAT is on-call 24 hours a day for children with behavioral health disorders and their families. This includes the therapeutic focus on parenting skills.

Les Chambers, 2017 board chair, and Doug Burgess, 2018 board chair, stated, "The BCI Board of Trustees appreciates Daniel Cobbs’ leadership. Since January 1993, Dan has been the chief architect and vital element in the development and success of Bridgeway Center, Inc. The board and staff will miss Dan and his inspiring authentic leadership. We wish him much success in the future. We want to thank Dan for over 25 years of dedicated service, which involved many significant accomplishments."

Cobbs is retiring to be more active with outdoor sports, cooking and volunteering.

"While I will miss everyone at BCI as I move into this next chapter of my life, I plan to continue my support of BCI and the work that has become so important for children and families who have or are currently at risk with behavioral health care (mental illness or substance use disorders)," he said.

"I want to give my deepest gratitude to all who have been so supportive of Bridgeway Center Inc. and to me personally over the years: BCI team members, Board of Trustees, and, of course, our community partners. Without everyone, BCI would not be as strong and vibrant as it is. It has been an honor to have been the leader of this valuable organization."

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bridgeway CEO to retire; replacement named