NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College's Film Club is kicking off its new year with the viewing of an animated film.

"Loving Vincent" begins 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the 100 College Blvd., campus in Niceville. Go to Building 110, room 328 in the film and humanities room. The public may attend the free event.

This was the first animated film in which each frame was created as an oil painting on canvas.

An animation crew of 125 artists — chosen for their skill as classical artists rather than professional animators — produced 65,000 paintings in the style of Vincent Van Gogh to tell the story of the mysteries surrounding the celebrated impressionist painter's 1890 death in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, at age 37.

Discussion conducted by NWFSC film professor David Simmons will follow the screening. Free food, drinks and door prizes will be provided.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWFSC club to screen film on Van Gogh

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

CareerSource Okaloosa sets additional job fairs

CRESTVIEW — Throughout the year, CareerSource Okaloosa hosts mini job fairs and hiring events to help Northwest Floridians secure employment.

Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the employers' job opportunities and request an on-the-spot interview.

These job fairs are scheduled:

•Mini Job Fair: Jan. 24, 1-4 p.m., Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview

•Health Care Mini Job Fair: Feb. 7, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach

•Administrative and Support Mini Job Fair: Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach

•Public Administration Mini-Job Fair: March 7, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Rd. NE, Fort Walton Beach

•Mini-Job Fair: March 7, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Dr. Crestview

Job seekers will be able to:

•Meet prospective employers

•Complete an online or hard-copy application and provide their resume

•Match a face with their application if they have already completed one

•Complete any required assessments

•Request a follow-up interview appointment

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Brad and Barry Klinge, of Everyday Paranormal, will headline the 2018 Florida Chautauqua Assembly.

The pair stormed onto the global paranormal scene with "Ghost Lab," a weekly American television series that premiered Oct. 6, 2009 on the Discovery Channel. The brothers will present how they conduct their investigations, discuss past investigations and provide proof of the paranormal activity.

They will help kick off the Chautauqua with their presentation on Friday, Jan. 26 at Walton High School. Four-day all-inclusive passports for the entire event are on sale for $120. Tickets for the Klinge Brothers presentation are $15 each.

Tickets and passports to the 2018 Florida Chautauqua Assembly are available through the event’s webpage, www.floridachautauquaassembly.org, or at 1290 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs.

Live Oak Baptist sets retreat on work as worship 

CRESTVIEW — Live Oak Baptist Church has scheduled their 2018 Work as Worship Retreat. The live event in Dallas will be streamed online to over 2,000 churches around the world.

The event features 11 influential business leaders and pastors who will discuss what it looks like to connect faith and work. The one-day retreat begins at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at the church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview.

A media release for the retreat states, "God has a purpose for us on this earth. That calling is to be on mission for God where He has placed us. And since many people spend the majority of their waking hours on the job, we have to stop compartmentalizing life into 'spiritual activities' and 'work activities.' How are we living examples of the gospel while we work?"

The cost is $25 per person. Go to www.workasworshipretreat.org or www.liveoakbc.net for more information or to register. 

Youths’ job training available 

CRESTVIEW — Local youths ages 16-24 looking for employment or job training who meet certain criteria may sign up for the Career Pathway to Success, a CareerSource Okaloosa Walton program.

Eligible candidates must meet the age requirement and have one of the following additional requirements apply.

They:

•May not attend high school or they are a high school dropout

•Are in ABE/GED prep classes

•Are homeless, a runaway, or in foster care

•Are pregnant or a parent

•Have a disability

•Live in an out-of-home placement

•Are an offender

Program participants receive Adult Basic Education and GED program classes and earn work-readiness incentives. They learn about job applications, how to create a resume, interviewing skills, employability skills and money management, and the opportunity to complete up to eight weeks of work experience.

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

CRESTVIEW — 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.

Local children are providing construction paper hands for a project being constructed at the state capital.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: In support of Children's Week

CRESTVIEW — Three regional organizations will give away tree seedlings in observance of Arbor Day.

The Arbor Day celebration is 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 at Twin Hills Park, 100 Hathaway St. S., Crestview. The event will take place at the pavilions near the playground on the far west end of the park.

Bare-root tree seedlings will be available as long as supplies last. Types include dahoon holly, shumard oak, pecan, river birch, fringe tree, crape myrtle, Florida flame azalea and sparkleberry.

University of Florida extension agents will conduct tree planting and pruning demonstrations and Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions.

Florida Forest Service, the Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the city of Crestview are event sponsors.

Call 689-5850 or 689-7838 for more information about the Crestview Arbor Day celebration.

•Arbor Day was founded in Nebraska on April 10, 1872 as a tree-planting day.

•Florida’s Arbor Day is the third Friday in January. Every state recognizes Arbor Day, but because of differences in climate, each state selects its own date to fit the best planting time for trees. Planting trees now allows young trees to become established by the time hot spring weather arrives.

•National Arbor Day is the fourth Friday in April. 

Visit https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/dates.cfm to learn more about Arbor Day.

FAST FACTS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Arbor Day event includes tree giveaway

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve North Okaloosa County residents’ quality of life.

CRESTVIEW — The Lions Club is an international nonprofit service organization with 1.4 million members worldwide. The Crestview branch is looking to grow its membership roster and will soon have a dinner thanking its community partners.

The Lions Club dinner, which will feature Crestview High School Football Coach Tim Hatten, is set 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Hub City Smokehouse, 168 Main St. S, Crestview. Area residents who attend must pay for their meals.

Four Lions stopped by the News Bulletin recently to discuss the organization's priorities.

They include:

•Providing eye care, glasses purchases and collections for people in need

•Fundraising for the services they provide

•Increasing membership

•Determining other ways to serve the Crestview community

•Increasing diabetes awareness

"Our motto is 'We serve,' and our goal is to provide more eye care than we have before. We've been challenged by Helen Keller to be the knights to the blind, and we try to help people with vision needs as much as we can," Chris Howard said.

In January, the Crestview Lions arranged eye exams for two individuals and will provide them with glasses if necessary. In 2017, they provided exams and eyeglasses for several individuals and assisted in procuring cataract surgery for a person who had lost most of his vision — and his job. With the Lions' help, the man is now employed and off welfare. 

The group's focus on vision care already aligns with two members' occupations. Howard and Edward Mitchell Jr. are both local optometrists. They own Eye Site of Crestview, P.A., and Cabana Eyes Optical, respectively.

Howard described the Lions' interest in vision care as a perfect fit for him. A friend invited him to join the Crestview organization in 2003, and Howard currently serves as president of the club.

Mitchell joined the Lions Club in 1989 in Kentucky.

"I've dealt with eyes for a long time, and saw a need, and it was an organization that I was familiar with, so I joined," Mitchell said. As "Tail Twister" for the local branch, the military veteran works to create harmonious group meetings and "make sure members are having fun in meetings and club events," according to Lion secretary Charlotte Jones.

Lou Jones, membership chair, became involved in the Lions when he and Charlotte, his wife, lived in Alaska.

"We went to Alaska for two years — stayed 32 — and there (were) all kinds of community needs up there that the Lions fulfilled," he said.

"You name it, they did it: hats, gloves, (keeping) people warm, eye care, purchasing glasses. One time in a community, we went around and replaced all the smoke detectors in homes, because there's a high fire rating."

When a Lioness Club formed in their community, he encouraged his wife to become a member as well.

Though reluctant to join at first, she learned things about herself in the process, such as the joy of helping those in need.

"I found out that I enjoyed working with other people. I enjoyed giving. It just feels good. I like that feeling," she said.

She said one of their goals right now is to boost their membership numbers (currently at 10) so they can increase the amount of services they provide.

"New members bring new perspective, new ideas," she said. "Our newest member has provided this homeless project need that we didn't know about, and another new member provided us information about a health fair."

The homeless project started when Deb Greenhalgh called a local organization for the homeless and asked about their needs. Because of that phone call, the club is collecting cold-weather item donations like hats, gloves and scarves. Donation boxes are located in area businesses, including Pic-n-Sav, Tractor Supply and Eye Site.

Group members attended a recent health fair at the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University's pharmacy school in Crestview, and will have a booth at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Triple B cook-off in March.

They accept monetary donations, 100 percent of which goes right back into the community. They are also looking for fundraising ideas to support their efforts.

Area residents may email crestviewlions@hotmail.com with suggestions on how Lions can assist the Crestview community.

"Better yet, attend a meeting," Charlotte Jones said. Meetings are 7 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays, at Hub City Smokehouse.

To join, there is a one-time entry fee of $35, and dues are $80 a year. The dues can be paid quarterly or annually.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Our motto is 'we serve''

CRESTVIEW — On the living room floor of her home in Crestview on a dreary January day, 6-year-old Zoey Green works diligently to construct a snowman from a glob of white Play-Doh.

“It’s Olaf,” she explained, referring to a character from Disney's “Frozen,” an animated movie she estimates she’s seen “probably 100” times.

She squints her eyes to get a closer look at her work of art. A long, thick, pink scar zigzags its way from her chin to her cheek to her right eye, making it harder for her to shut it completely.

As she works on the floor, her mother, Paige Woody, sits on the sofa behind her, watching her every move as she has been for the past 10 months.

She can’t take her eyes off her. Ever since both Paige and Zoey were attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull last March, the pair have become inseparable, bound even closer by a shared trauma. Paige acknowledges their relationship now as a “codependency.”

“It’s just been awful,” she says of the past 10 months. “We’re stuck in an endless tragedy.”

‘A nightmare’

The day was March 25, a Saturday, and Paige and Zoey had gone over to a neighbor’s home on Villacrest Drive to learn how to care for two pit bulls Paige had agreed to watch. She and the neighbor were in the backyard of the home, and Zoey was inside.

Paige told the Northwest Florida Daily News last March that Zoey was tapping on the door because she was impatient, so Paige opened the door just a little bit so she could hear her better.

“I kept telling her, ‘Hold on, baby, hold on, baby,’” Paige said.

The next several minutes were a blur. The pit bull, Mandingo, lunged through the door and grabbed Zoey by the face before he dragged her into the yard. While the neighbor held back the other dog, Paige wrestled with Mandingo to try to free her little girl.

When he released her, Paige threw her body on top of her daughter’s and continued fighting with the dog, shoving her arm into his mouth and pushing him back as far as he would go before picking Zoey up, running into the home and calling 911.

Paige was taken to the hospital and received 28 stitches and around 40 staples.

Zoey was flown by medical helicopter alone to Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola where she was underwent a grueling nine-hour-surgery — the first of many.

Both dogs were euthanized.

The dog had torn off Zoey’s right eyelid, broken her jaw and left her face essentially held together with staples and stitches. She’s since had to travel to Galveston, Texas eight times with her mother to undergo treatments, including three major surgeries to try to salvage her eyes and facial tissue, and extensive therapy for post traumatic stress disorder.

And she’s not finished. Paige and Zoey are traveling back to Galveston later this month for yet another surgical procedure, where doctors will put a titanium plate under her eye and sew her eye shut for three weeks to repair her destroyed tear duct. In March, she’ll have another surgery to have hard scar tissue removed from her face and her scar stitched back up.

Paige said the multiple trips have put a severe financial and emotional strain on her family.

“Financially, it’s a nightmare. The people who own the dogs haven’t given us a penny,” Paige said. “Then I’m uprooting from my two other daughters when we have to go on these trips to Galveston, so I’m taking that stability away from them … we’ve missed birthdays, holidays, things like that, and it’s just been a nightmare.”

No playing outside

Due to her scarring, Zoey can’t be in contact with UV light — which includes sunlight — for at least a year after each surgery. If she wants to play outside, she has to wear a special mask that slips over her head and covers her entire face. Paige decorated the mask with unicorn, butterfly and snail patches, but Zoey still resists it.

Zoey says she likes to play outside, but doesn’t often because “I don’t like to wear my mask, silicone or hats.”

Her silicone patches are applied to her scars to prevent them from getting worse, Paige says. The hats are an added protection.

“She has to wear a compression mask 16 hours a day because it helps push the scarring down and breaks up the scar tissue, and then she wears silicone because it helps to do the same thing,” Paige said. “She doesn’t like to wear those. She’s not supposed to be around any kind of UV light because it makes the scarring redder and more angry looking.

"She has to wear hats and can’t go outside during the day … we will go to a store quickly and that’s about it.”

Paige also had to pull Zoey out of school after the attack to deal with her surgeries and medical issues. The Okaloosa County School District has sent a tutor to help Zoey with homeschooling twice a week, and Paige hopes to put her back in school at Riverside Elementary in August to try to regain some sense of normalcy.

“It’s sad because she doesn’t have the friends that my (other) daughters have. She doesn’t have the sleepovers cause she doesn’t know anybody,” Paige said. “She doesn’t have play dates, so she doesn’t get to blossom like the other little kids do.”

‘I just want her to play in the sunshine’

In their Crestview home last Wednesday, Zoey was going about her day as she normally does. She made herself a slice of grape jelly toast, played video games on her smartphone — her “lifeline” to the outside world, as Paige describes it — and talked about how she had just learned the difference between “past, present and future” in her tutoring.

“What are we in now?” Paige asked her.

 Zoey thought for a minute.

“Um … future?”

“Not quite,” Paige said. “We’re in the present.”

That’s how Paige is having to live her life these days — day by day, minute by minute, always in the present. She still has flashbacks of the past and is now terrified of dogs. She won’t let her other two kids ride their bikes down the street because she is concerned about loose pets.

“Everywhere we go, you turn around and you see these pit bulls that are not service animals,” she said. “When I go outside I’m constantly looking for an escape route, or where can I put my kids if a dog jumps out. I was oblivious before to how bad it is.”

Paige said her $200,000 in medical debt weighs heavily on her mind most days. Zoey had insurance at the time of the attack, but Paige did not, and Medicaid wouldn’t pay for Zoey’s $100,000 medical helicopter bill when she had to be transported to Pensacola. Over $22,000 in GoFundMe donations have already been used for the eight Galveston trips.

“How do you climb out of that kind of debt?” Paige asked. “I mean, people say, 'sue,' well we’re on our fourth attorney trying to, but there’s not a whole lot we can do. If they don’t have anything, you can’t take it.

“I’m so thankful for everyone in the community who has donated anything at all,” she added.

As she looks toward the future, Paige hopes to regain some sense of a normal childhood for her daughter. Paige knows Zoey will probably always have scars, but one day Zoey will be able to do things other kids can do.

“It basically stopped our lives,” she said. “But I’m hoping that eventually she’ll be able to go outside and play, like normal, in the daylight with other kids instead of having to wear masks or patches to cover up scarring.

"I just want her to play in the sunshine.”

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'An endless tragedy'

CHIPLEY — The Florida Department of Transportation will conduct winter weather operations beginning at 1 p.m. in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in preparation for Winter Storm Inga. Operations will continue at 8 p.m. beginning in Walton County and move east throughout the evening into Jackson County.

Motorists may notice an increased number of FDOT vehicles on state routes as FDOT maintenance and operations staff monitor winter weather conditions on bridges and roadways. FDOT crews will deploy various ice and snow removal equipment including snow plows and salt and chemical spreaders throughout the area.

FDOT’s winter weather plan has been developed to keep Florida’s highway system safe and operational in all types of weather conditions.

If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible. Wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. On the road, increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.

Follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter @myfdot_nwfl or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyFDOTNWFL for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FDOT prepares for Winter Storm Inga

CRESTVIEW — Women looking for clothing and business wear have a new place in Crestview to shop for them.

The Meraki Lady, located at 265 Main St., added women's clothing to its offerings in December.

Owner Shelly Brace and her son, Dale Riley III, marketer and photographer, said clothes at the store range from extra small to plus sizes. They also have a selection of jewelry, purses, beanies and other accessories from which customers can choose.

When asked what sets Meraki apart from other area boutiques, Riley said, "We're bringing a new different kind of trendy style to Crestview, and make it easy for people to stop by here without trying to run to Destin every time for a new outfit.

"We're kind of like a one-stop shop because we have a tanning salon, a hair salon, photography and a nail salon."

Brace said the salon part of the business opened in October. It has seven employees, and she plans to add two more employees to provide services to walk-in customers.

Salon hours are by appointment. The tanning salon and clothing boutique hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

A 'SUPER-CREATIVE' TEAM

The mother-and-son duo said they appreciate the skills each brings to the table for the multi-faceted business.

"Having my son help me with all this — it means a lot," Brace said. "He's great at marketing, and 'Mom is old-fashioned over here' and it makes it easier on me. I'm more the business aspect of it and we're both really good with people."

"Well, me and my mom are doing this together," Riley said. "We've always both been super-creative."

That shared creative streak is why the pair settled on the business' name, Meraki.

"Our cousin actually told the meaning of it," Brace said. "We were all brainstorming and coming up with different names. Meraki is an old Greek word meaning creativity and love, and it comes from the soul."

"I can look at things and get an idea (to work with)," Brace said. "He sees things in a whole new way… If we took the same picture, I do not have the same eye that he does. I can tell you that."

The company has Instagram and Facebook sites, and will soon have an online store in a few months.

Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Meraki Lady Boutique has Sunday hours. This was a typographical error on our part. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The News Bulletin staff apologizes for this error.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A family business

CRESTVIEW — Upcoming North Okaloosa County events and surrounding area activities are as follows.

ARBOR DAY TREE GIVEAWAY: 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19, Twin Hills Park, 100 Hathaway St., Crestview. The Florida Forest Service, Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District, and the University of Florida Extension Master Gardeners will give away a variety of tree species in one-gallon pots. Includes a presentation on proper planting and care for newly planted trees. Species in the giveaway include Dahoon Holly, Shumard Oak, pecan, sparkleberry and river birch.

MARDI GRAS PARADE AND STREET FESTIVAL: 11 a.m. Jan. 20, Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. Krewe de Yak's fifth annual event includes a street fair, family-friendly entertainment, a car show, parade and after-party. Contact Samantha Graves, 419-5977 or krewedeyak@gmail.com, for details. See complete schedule at www.krewedeyak.org.

HOME SCHOOL TOUR AT MUSEUM: "Historic Technology," Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida’s quarterly field trip for home-school students and their families, is set Feb. 16, 1-2:30 p.m. 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. Cost is $8 per student (or $6 for Museum Family Members). One parent/teacher per family is admitted free; $3 cost per each additional adult. Children 4 and under get in free; cost for each is $3 to participate in a hands-on activity. Pre-registration is required. Details: 678-2615.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays in the Baker Area Public Safety Building, 1375 19th St.

REP. JAYER WILLIAMSON OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Call 995-3698 for an appointment.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall. 

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

OKALOOSA-WALTON NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS: for chamber members and their employees. Details: 682-3212 or info@crestviewchamber.com. http://www.crestviewchamber.com.

AMBASSADORS 'LET'S DO LUNCH': 11:30 a.m. Jan. 16, David's Catfish House, 1296 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview. Network, socialize and enjoy lunch in an informal, no-pressure setting. Invite a new member, a friend, a co-worker, or someone who is thinking about joining the chamber to have lunch with you. RSVP to ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

RIBBON CUTTING: 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Children in Crisis, 969 Davie's Way, Fort Walton Beach (located at The Children's Neighborhood). Celebrates the opening of the Kay's Cupboard Food Pantry. Call 864-4242 to RSVP by Jan. 15.

PILOT COMMITTEE: 3 p.m. Jan. 19, Wendy's in north Crestview, at the intersection of State Road 85 and Airport Road. For Crestview leaders ages 21-41.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. Jan. 31, Crestview Area Chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive. Contact Amber Ellis or Karen Donaldson at ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com for details.

CHAMBER SPONSORSHIPS: People or companies interested in sponsoring a chamber breakfast or Business After Hours event in 2018 may contact the chamber. There are still a few spots available. Email info@crestviewchamber.com or call 682-3212.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What's happening in North Okaloosa County

Welcome to 2018! Are you already tackling your New Year’s resolution? No matter what your goal may be, whether it is related to weight loss, personal finance or career, it is best to make sure that it is SMART. 

A SMART goal is one that follows these guidelines and answers these questions: 

• Specific: Exactly what would you like to accomplish?
• Measurable: How much, or how many?
• Attainable: Can it actually be done? 
• Relevant: Why is it important to you?
• Time bound: How [much time] will you [need to achieve it]? 

To just state that a goal, or resolution, of yours is to save money does not give any structure to your goal. There is no way to track your progress or hold yourself accountable. Making your goal SMART will do just that.

An example of a SMART goal may be, "I will save $500 in the next year, so I can join the fitness gym, by making an automatic deposit to my savings account and bringing my lunch to work instead of buying fast food." 

Here is an example of that goal with the SMART breakdown: 

• Specific: Exactly what would you like to accomplish? To join a fitness gym
• Measurable: How much, or how many? $500
• Attainable: Can it actually be done? Must answer based upon income, debts and ability to prepare lunches
• Relevant: Why is it important to you? Value of personal health
• Time bound: How will you know you have completed goal? One year 

Accomplishing a goal is no simple task; often it takes a lot of time, energy and work. Don’t get frustrated if you make a mistake or aren’t doing as well as you would like. Give yourself permission to adjust your goal if needed. What may be working for you now may not work for you in six months. 

It can also be very helpful to write down your goals and put them in a prominent place that you look at every day, like the mirror or the fridge. That will help keep the goal fresh and keep your motivation strong.

Check out our University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Okaloosa County Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/UFIFASOkaloosaExtension/, to check out my personal SMART goal video for 2018.

For more information, contact me at 689-5850 or jbreslawski@ufl.edu.

Jill Breslawski is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Set New Year’s resolutions the ‘SMART’ way