As exceptionally cold weather continues to linger around OkaloosaCounty, the Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety has announced the opening of the following locations as cold weather shelters in both north and south OkaloosaCounty for those residents who do not have access to heating. 

In north Okaloosa, Helping Hands will serve as a daytime cold weather shelter. Helping Hands will be open as a shelter from 6:00 am until 5:30 pm from Tuesday, January 2nd, until Friday, January 5th. Helping Hands is located just behind the FirstUnitedMethodistChurch, at 428 McLaughlin Street in Crestview. 

At night, the Community of Christ Church will serve as the cold weather shelter. That shelter will open Tuesday, January 2nd, at 6:00 pm, and will operate through the night until 5:30 am. The shelter will operate each night until Friday, January 5th, and is located at 398 West First Avenue in Crestview. 

In the Southern half of OkaloosaCounty, One Hopeful Place will serve as an around the clock cold weather shelter. The shelter is open now, and will remain operational as needed. The address for One Hopeful Place is 1564 Percy Coleman Road in Fort Walton Beach. 

The Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety will continue to monitor the developing cold weather, and will release information and updates as they become necessary.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cold weather shelters available in north, south OkaloosaCounty

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. 10, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach
• 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

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                

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CareerSource Okaloosa sets job fairs

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will present the 2018 Northwest Florida Family History Fair.

The three-part seminar, which is free to attend, is 9 a.m. to noon March 3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 339 Lake Drive, Fort Walton Beach.

Among the presenters are Tom and Irene Price, of Rexburg, Idaho, who have trained people in the art of family history since November 2015. In 2016 they gave 94 presentations to about 1,000 people. They are two LDS senior volunteers who devote 18 months and more of their lives to serving others.

Also presenting information is Ersula Knox Odom, an author. The Tampa resident's training session is "Stop Throwing your Legacy into the Trash!" She'll give advice on what to do with seemingly insignificant items when cleaning, downsizing or moving.

She asks that fair attendees bring their "favorite of all time picture," or one of someone else who is special to you.

Jon Shepherd, Marie Helene Legge, Marc Strickland, Tom Johnson, Brooke Hansan, Kay Rudolph, Miriam Lofthouse, Cindy Barbara, Margaret Harris, Libby Crow and Wayne and Joan Stalvey will also speak at the event.

The event is divided into three 40-minute sessions.

Session 1 topics include: Family Secret Agent; Military Records; European Records; Making an Oral Life History; Writing a Personal History; Basic Family Search; FamilySearch Indexing; and Best of the Rest Records.

Classes offered in the second session include: DNA; Google Earth for Genealogists; European Research; African-American Research; Making an Oral Life History; Basic Family Search; Primary & Secondary Sources; and Best Internet Sites for Genealogy.

The final session includes: Advanced Family Search Doc; Military Records; and Land Records; DNA; African-American Research; Favorite Family History Internet Sites; and Writing a Personal History.

Other offerings during the event are Family History Center Portal Q and A Sessions, Family History Help Center and various displays.

Email questions about classes to familyhistoryfair1@gmail.com, or visit the Northwest Florida Family History Fair-2018 Facebook page for a registration form.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida genealogy fair scheduled

UPCOMING

GENEALOGY GROUP FORMING: 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 6, Fort Walton Beach Public Library. This will be an organizational meeting followed by open forum. Experienced members of the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County are forming a free Genealogy Special Interest Group. The group is dedicated to helping new and experienced genealogists advance their research and explore genealogy-related subjects. The group will then offer individual guidance. Email GSOCGSIG@gmail.com for details.

MAC USERS GROUP: Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Northwest Florida State College Student Services Center, Room 308/309. Anne Hornstein will present "Back to the Basics and Beyond," with a focus on photos — shared, and group texts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their Mac devices. For more information, visit FWBMug.com, or contact Jean Dutton at 862-3327 or jeancdutton@mac.com.

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday — except May 26, Labor Day and Early Voting, Oct. 27, at the Crestview Public Library. The group, which did not meet in November or December, will pick up where they left off with the next meeting, which is Jan. 22. Teen author Noah Barfield will be the guest speaker at the meeting on Feb. 26. Online: http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays through May 7, 2018. Call President Ruth Herington, 683-0839, for non-listed locations at members' homes.

•Jan. 8, member's home, "Seeds on Ice."

•Feb. 5, Sonshine Studios, 426 James Lee Blvd., Crestview, "Fairy Gardens."

•March 5, member's home, "Shapes and Shadows in the Garden."

•April 2, member's home, "Wacky Gardening Secrets"

•May 7, member's home, salad luncheon. Bring one to share. 

RECURRING　

MONDAYS 

YOUTH NIGHT: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or fellowship.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. Mondays, the clubhouse at 704 Robinson St., Crestview, for beginners and newcomers. Details: Jerry, 830-6218. www.fwb-area-aa.org.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays, September through May, location to be announced. Details: 683-0839.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Yearly membership: $20.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

HELP OTHER PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: 6 p.m. third Mondays at Community of Christ, Crestview.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. fourth Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Sit-n-sew and workshop meeting.

THE OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: fourth Mondays. Details: info@occsw.org.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mount Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

TUESDAYS 

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY:

●8 a.m. Tuesdays at First Baptist Church of Garden City, 3140 Haskell-Langley Road, Crestview. Details: Mary Cole, 683-1899.

●5 p.m. weigh-in; meeting starts from 5:25-5:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview. Brooke Bratton, 225-8197. www.TOPS.org.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft.

CRESTVIEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO: Quarterly games 4:30-6 p.m.; regular games 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday at 701 James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

BAKER GARDEN CLUB: 10 a.m. first Tuesdays September through May at different locations. Liz Davis, 537-4512.

OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP: 1 p.m. first Tuesdays, Wellness Center at Twin Cities Hospital, Niceville. A Registered Nurse is present, and meetings include details of specialty care and product innovations that may be helpful. Details: 389-7071.

CARVER-HILL MEMORIAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 5:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

OPEN MIC POETRY AT THE LIBRARY: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free event. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; Rick Sanders, 585-6399. Read poetry or play music. http://cvwlibrary.tumblr.com/.

SHOAL RIVER REPUBLICAN CLUB: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays of each month at Hideaway Pizza in downtown Crestview. Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

CRESTVIEW TOASTMASTERS: 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Greater Federation of Women's Club building, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: Kathy Morrow, 974-3662.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 395: 5:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Carver-Hill Museum, 895 S. McClelland St., Crestview. Cmdr. Raymond Nelson, 420-0706.

NORTH OKALOOSA PATRIOTS: 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 150 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Crestview. www.panhandlepatriots.com.

WEDNESDAYS

CRESTVIEW KIWANIS CLUB: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

KNITTING GROUP: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W, Crestview.

PANHANDLE SADDLE CLUB: 6 p.m. first Wednesdays, David’s Catfish House, 1296 N. Ferdon Blvd. Crestview. Includes socializing, dinner and a meeting. November topic: how to keep your horse healthy. Details: Donna Curry, 830-6403 or donna@embarqmail.com.

SONS OF ITALY, CRESTVIEW CHAPTER 2865: 6 p.m. third Wednesdays, Foxwood Country Club, Antioch Road. All people of American-Italian heritage may join. Group president Thomas Hughes, 682-3597, thomasjhughessr@hotmail.com.

THURSDAYS

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Crosspoint, in portable 2, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway, Crestview. For people grieving the death of a loved one or other losses. 678-4411 extension 109.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, 704 E. Robinson Ave., Crestview. 689-1842.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 or email okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com to report incidents.

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING: 7 a.m. first Thursdays, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: 5:15 p.m. every first and third Thursday, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road. Details: BJ Thomhave at Foxwood Country Club, 682-2012.

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF CRESTVIEW: 5:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

FLYING NEEDLES QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Thursdays at Niceville Church of Christ. Visitors and quilters are welcome.

CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB: 6:30-8:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Northwest Florida State College Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center, room 306, 805 U.S. Highway 90 E., Crestview.

NORTH OKALOOSA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Live Oak Baptist Church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. Call 398-7524 for details.

MAINSTREET CRESTVIEW ASSOCIATION: 8 a.m. third Thursdays, FAMU College of Pharmacy in downtown Crestview. Group improves and promotes Main Street and Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency businesses.

CRESTVIEW EXCHANGE CLUB: fourth Thursdays, Covenant Hospice, Crestview. Sharlene Cox, 682-6824.

FRIDAYS 

STEAK NIGHT: 6 p.m. first Fridays. American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Cost: $15 per person; includes T-bone steak, baked potato, salad, bread and dessert. 689-3195.

SATURDAYS

TEEN WII: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Wii playing for students in sixth through 12th grades.

ADULT/FAMILY NIGHT: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship.

KARAOKE: 8 p.m. Saturdays, American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. 689-3195.

READ TO DOZER: 10-11 a.m. first Saturdays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. For children ages 4 and up.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP: 11 a.m. first Saturdays, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Anyone may attend to inquire about the craft. 678-2615.

GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION: 9 a.m. to eat and 10 a.m. meeting third Saturdays of the month, Ryan's restaurant, Crestview. Dwayne Hopkins, 217-1001. All motorcyclists are welcome.

VFW HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT: 12 p.m. third Saturdays, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450, 2240 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Lynn Mobley, 682-5552.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County clubs and organizations

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to get healthier, you may already be taking the necessary steps, such as improving your diet and increasing your exercise.

Of course, physical fitness is important to your well-being — but, at the same time, don't forget about your financial fitness.

Specifically, what can you do to ensure your investment situation is in good shape?

Here are a few "healthy living" suggestions that may also apply to your investment portfolio:

Build endurance. Just as exercise can help build your endurance for the demands of a long life, a vigorous investment strategy can help you work toward your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

In practical terms, this means you will need to own some investments with the potential to provide long-term growth. These are the investments that, ideally, you can hold on to for decades and eventually reap the benefits of capital appreciation.

Of course, growth-oriented investments, such as most types of stocks, will rise and fall in value over the short term, and there's no guarantee of profits, or even preserving principal. But if you choose wisely, and you've got the patience and discipline to hold on to your investments through the market's ups and downs, you may well be rewarded.

Maintain an ideal "weight." You can help yourself stay healthy by maintaining your ideal weight. This can be challenging — as you know from the recently finished holiday season, it's easy to put on a few extra pounds. And, just as inadvertently, your portfolio can tack on some unneeded weight, too, in the form of redundant investments.

Over time, you may have picked up too many similar investment vehicles, resulting in an overconcentration, or "flabbiness," that can work against you, especially when a market downturn affects the asset class in which you're overloaded. So, you might be better off liquidating some of your duplicate, or near-duplicate, investments, and using the proceeds to help broaden your investment mix.

Get proper rest. Many studies have shown that we need adequate rest to stay alert and healthy. In your life, you've probably already found that if you overtax your body, you pay a price in your overall well-being.

If you look at your investment portfolio as a living entity — which, in a way, it is, as it certainly provides life to your goals and aspirations — then you can see that it, too, can be weakened by stress. And one of the main stress factors is excessive trading. If you're constantly buying and selling investments in an attempt to boost your returns, you may rack up hefty fees, commissions and taxes — and still not really get the results you wanted.

Plus, if you're frequently moving in and out of different investments, you'll find it hard to follow a unified, long-term strategy.

So, confine your trading to those moves that are really essential — and give your portfolio a rest.

To enjoy your life fully, you'll want to take care of your physical and financial health — and, as it turns out, you can make similar types of moves to help yourself in both areas. 

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: How to improve your financial fitness

Airbnb Florida announced that its Florida vacation rental hosts earned a combined $450 million in supplemental income while welcoming approximately 2.7 million guests to the state in 2017.

The 2.7 million guests to Florida represent 75 percent year-over-year growth. This comes as state residents increasingly embrace the vacation rental platform as an opportunity to earn income and expand their community’s lodging capacity.

Now nearly 40,000 Floridians share their homes or vacation rentals through Airbnb, with each host typically earning about $6,700 annually.

"Vacation rentals provide a tremendous impact for the local tourism industry and Florida’s overall economy," said Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota). "We must protect private property rights so that Florida homeowners can continue to participate in the sharing economy and provide additional options for travelers to our state."

Florida hotels experienced strong growth in occupancy rates, prices and revenue during 2017 — in parallel with vacation rental growth for the year.

This suggests that vacation rentals on Airbnb and other platforms are opening the state to a new demographic of tourists by catering to travelers who are less able to afford hotels, those who desire to stay in neighborhoods or cities that lack hotels, and families who prefer to vacation together under one roof.

"We are proud to contribute to Florida's record-setting tourism by opening up the state to new segments of visitors," said Jennifer Frankenstein-Harris, president of the Florida Vacation Rental Management Association. "We are committed to partnering with the governor and lawmakers to further infuse Florida's economy with additional revenue and elevate Florida's status as a global hub for family-friendly tourism.

In addition to the new personal income going into the pockets of Florida hosts, the vacation rental community is also generating new public revenues that benefit the state and dozens of local communities through tax agreements that allow Airbnb to collect and remit taxes on behalf of its hosts.

Airbnb is authorized to collect and pay the state sales tax on all bookings in Florida, in addition to collecting and paying local bed taxes in 39 counties.

In 2017 alone, Airbnb secured new tax agreements with six counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota, Polk, Hillsborough and Leon. The company will release a 2017 county-by-county tax report once the December taxes are remitted.

Here is an overview of 2017 guest arrivals and total host income, broken down by the top 20 counties in Florida (in terms of guest arrivals).

County; Total 2017 Guest Arrivals; Total 2017 Host Income 

• Miami-Dade; 667,200; $134.6 million
• Osceola; 358,400; $39.6 million
• Broward; 239,600; $45.7 million
• Orange; 229,500; $25 million
• Pinellas; 140,200; $24.5 million
• Polk; 101,600; $10.5 million
• Hillsborough; 78,700; $10.4 million
• Palm Beach; 72,500; $17.1 million
• Bay; 69,300; $12 million
• Sarasota; 67,100; $13.3 million
• Monroe; 65,700; $13.6 million
• Saint Johns County; 64,800; $8.8 million
• Lee; 63,800; $13.2 million
• Volusia; 51,100; $7.5 million
• Brevard; 45,500; $6.5 million
• Okaloosa; 45,200; $8.5 million
• Duval; 42,600; $6.1 million
• Walton; 41,200; $8.5 million
• Collier; 35,400; $8.1 million
• Escambia; 31,700; $4.6 million

ABOUT AIRBNB

Founded in 2008, Airbnb’s community marketplace provides access to millions of accommodations — from apartments and villas to castles and treehouses — in more than 65,000 cities and 191 countries.

Airbnb allows people to earn a little extra income from extra space in a home or from sharing passions, interests and cities.

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Airbnb hosts earned $450 million in 2017

How did 2017 go for you? Was it a good year or a not so good year? Regardless of what happened, you can't change 2017. The year is behind us and 2018 is ahead of us.

What can you do to make 2018 a great year?

Make a list of what you want to accomplish in the year ahead. Don't make it so long that it's overwhelming. Most people's list can go on and on and then it becomes a daunting task.

Here are some ideas for you.

Focus on your health. You can do almost anything if you have your health. Go to your doctor for a physical. Have blood work done. Find our what your numbers are and then adjust accordingly.

If your cholesterol is high or your sugar level is high, you will need to exercise a little more and eat a better diet with more fruit and vegetables and less red meat.

Eating less sugar will probably be a good thing for you in 2018 as most Americans eat too much sugar. I had my blood work done about four days after Thanksgiving. Everything came back good except my sugar level was 106, which is a little high. It needs to be in the nineties. However, I ate at least four pieces of pie over the Thanksgiving holiday.

When you go to have your blood work done, don't go right after a blowout-eating holiday.

Remember, if you have your health, you feel like doing something. You can work retail, tend to your garden, mow your grass and enjoy life. A lot of sick people have money but they can't enjoy their money because they threw away their health. Things still happen.

Our bodies are flesh and blood and you can lose your health even being a fitness nut. However, your chances are better if you at least try. Keep walking, keep moving your body — be active. 

My father was actually very unhealthy in his eating habits. He was overweight and ate any and everything. He wasn't big on desserts but was big on anything fried, red meat and lots of squirrels and rabbits. He was a hunter.

He made it to 85 and one of the reasons I believe he did was become he kept moving. He was out in the hills about three days before he died and shot a rabbit from his truck to eat for dinner.

Find ways to keep moving and things to keep your interest. Winter months are tougher for most Americans so be creative in your efforts to keep the body and mind active.

Make and save money. You can't take money with you but you can enjoy it here and then leave some for your family.

America's economy is coming back. There are more jobs now than we have seen in awhile. Some corporations that moved their work to other countries will bring some of their jobs back to America. Any jobs they bring back will be more than we have had the last 16 or so years.

There is work to be done in America. You might have to drive or move to another town but there is money to be made if you are willing to work. Even if you have to work two jobs you can earn a paycheck in America.

Every time you get a paycheck, put some money aside in your bank. Eventually buy some stock in a mutual fund or preferably an index fund. Unless you have a crisis in your life, leave your saved money alone and keep adding to it. Eventually you will have enough for hard times and good times. Even if you can only save $20 a paycheck, this is better than nothing and even a small amount will add up.

Pursue one or two interests in 2018. Fourteen months ago, I started taking violin or, I should say, fiddle lessons. I enjoy it. It's something to do. I write these columns. It's something to do. I like to travel. It's something to do. I hope to write a book in 2018. It's something to do.

I try to do only what I enjoy but that's not easy because not everything is enjoyable. There are some parts of life that are tedious, trying and just a pain. This is why you need to pursue a personal interest or two. Do something you want to do.

Of course there is always more. You have a closet or a garage you need to clean out. You have chores and more chores to get done and almost everybody does.

Find time for God in 2018. Most Americans believe in God but spend very little time in spiritual pursuits. When all your friends have walked away and even your family and other loved ones are no longer there for you there is a friend who sticks closer than all others.

There is only one person who can make 2018 a great year for you. Go look in the mirror and look this person over.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

What’s your view? Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2018 — a look in the mirror

Winter is probably the easiest time of year to kill the plant you brought in from the cold.

And the fastest way is by overwatering.

Grueling growing conditions like lower light levels, dry air, shorter days and chilly temperatures really stress out plants, which makes them susceptible to insect and disease problems.

Then the pests finish them off.

The secret to helping plants survive winter is adjusting care routines to suit seasonal growing conditions.

Here are a few things to consider.

LIGHT

In winter, the sun is lower in the sky and light levels near windows drop up to 50 percent. Houseplants that grow near a sunny eastern or northern window in summer may need a southern or western exposure in winter.

Likewise, tropical plants that were able to withstand direct sun outside will need to be in the brightest spots possible or may require extra lighting inside.

Plants are likely to lose leaves in order to adjust to the light change. The new leaves that grow back will be accustomed to the lower light. Remember that if those plants are going back outside in the spring, they will need to be shaded for a while or the new leaves will sunburn.

To help plants cope with changing light levels:

•Move plants closer to windows, if possible.

•Clean windows to allow maximum light transmission.

•Shift plants to new locations near brighter windows for winter.

•Wash and dust off plants so leaves can make maximum use of available light.

•Add artificial light. Fluorescent bulbs provide adequate light. They’re cheaper than traditional grow lights and produce less heat. Position bulbs 4 to 12 inches away from plants for effective results.

TEMPERATURE

Most of our plants prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and about 10-15 degrees cooler at night. For tropical plants, temperatures below 50 degrees can cause problems.

Hopefully, you had the chance to bring them in with the first cool spell a month ago.

•Adjust thermostats for your comfort, but remember your plants need some consideration.

•Avoid placing plants near cold drafts or heat sources.

•Keep plants several inches away from exterior windows.

HUMIDITY

Homes may offer only 5-10 percent relative humidity in winter. Houseplants like 40-50 percent. Signs of low-humidity stress on plants include brown leaf tips and appearance of pests like spider mites.

Here are ways to fix that:

•Raise humidity around plants with a room humidifier.

•Place plants on a pebble-lined tray filled with water. Keep the water level just below the pebbles. As the water evaporates, it raises humidity around plants.

•Mist plants with room-temperature water. Avoid wetting walls or furniture.

WATER 

The most common problem plants suffer from in winter is overwatering. Most plants need soil to dry out almost completely before watering. How can you tell if plants need water?

•Don’t just spot-test the soil surface. Plants need water when the root zone is dry. Poke your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If the soil is dry, water.

•Lift the pot. Soil is lighter when it’s dry. Learn how wet soil feels by lifting pots immediately after watering.

•Exceptions to drying out between watering: Potted citrus and ferns require consistently moist soil. Always research plant moisture needs if you’re unsure.

When you do water, never allow plants to sit overnight in water that collects in the drainage saucer.

FERTILIZER, PRUNING AND REPOTTING

Save these tasks until spring. Winter growth is usually leggy. Prune and fertilize to encourage bushy growth when the sunlight and temperatures increase.

The right time to repot most tropical and houseplants is during periods of active growth — in spring and summer. The exception is potted woody plants that go completely dormant in winter.

Transplant those prior to bud break in early spring.

Sheila Dunning 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: A change of plans

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

Library sets next open-mic poetry night

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library’s next monthly open-mic night for poets and musicians to read, perform, improvise and play together is Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

This month's poetry topic is, "Every Word is a Bird We Teach to Sing."

Admittance is free, and everyone is welcome, even if you don't write poetry or play music.

Arrive at 6 p.m. for conversation and snacks; the poetry starts at 6:30 p.m.

The Robert L.F. Sikes Crestview Public Library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Florida Chautauqua to feature paranormal investigators 

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