You’re a library fan. Checking out the latest bestsellers, watching new release movies, and attending our free classes and clubs are all staples of your weekly visit —or visits!

However, did you know you can actually visit your library from the comfort of your own cozy bed?

Of course, you may have heard about our eBook apps: Libby, Overdrive, and Rbdigital. These three bad boys have tons of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines ready for checkout FOR FREE!

"Wrastle up" that pesky library card from the back of your wallet, download one of the apps, input your number, and you are ready to read absolutely anywhere (even in the bathroom)!

In addition to our eLibrary, we also have some nifty online services available to our lovely patrons.

We now offer online Rosetta Stone and The New York Times access, along with a bunch of other useful databases, tools, and resources.

If you’re studying for a standardized test, set up an account with our Testing and Education Reference Center, and you will receive access to a wealth of practice material including SAT and ACT.

Check it out for yourself on the Online Tools tab at https://www.cityofcrestview.org/178/Library. 

Emily Knie is the Crestview Public Library's adult services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Check It Out

PRIZE DONATIONS NEEDED: The Crestview Police Department Community Services Division accepts prize donations for the games night it has with special needs teens and adults in Crestview. Donations of bottled water, soft drinks and snacks are also welcome. Take donations to the CPD, Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Tri-County Community Council, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. 306-1134.

CRESTVIEW SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Serves Mondays through Saturdays. To volunteer at Central Baptist Church, call 682-5525; Our Savior Lutheran Church, 682-3154; LifePoint Church, 682-3518; Community of Christ, 682-7474; First Presbyterian Church, 682-2835; or First United Methodist Church, 682-2018.

SUPPORT CIRCLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS: Meetings take place as follows.

• 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays at Shelter House, 120 Woodruff Ave., Suite A, Crestview. This is a Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 683-0845. 
• 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 16 Ferry Road SE, Fort Walton Beach. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 243-1201.
• noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 3590 U.S. Highway 331 S., Suite 102, DeFuniak Springs. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 362-7190.

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. Free items include shoes and other accessories. Presented by Concerned Citizens of Crestview. Details: 689-1582 or 428-6997.

EMPLOY FLORIDA WORKSHOPS: 9-11 a.m. fourth Thursdays of the month at CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach. Learn to conduct job searches on the state system, create a resume, access labor market data for wage, job experience and education requirements for a specific occupation. Learn about Training Grant opportunities, online training courses, and the organization's virtual recruiter.

COLLEGE OFFERS ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: A Florida State University program that offers relief – free of charge – to distressed African-Americans who provide care to a loved one with dementia. It uses trained lay pastoral-care facilitators and is recruiting caregivers in North and Central Florida. ACTS 2 (African-American Alzheimer’s Caregiver Training and Support) won a $20,000 award as well. Caregivers participate in a 12-session, telephone-based skills-building and support program covering topics such as relaxation, effective thinking and problem-solving skills. Call 866-778-2724 toll free, 850-274-4945, or go to www.ACTS2Project.org for details.

SHINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, a Department of Elder Affairs program, seeks volunteers to help elderly residents answer Medicare questions and resolve problems, help them make informed choices about their health insurance, save money on prescription medications and learn about their eligibility for helpful programs. There is no charge for seniors to use the program. Bilingual volunteers are also encouraged to call. Dial 1-800-963-5337 for details.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS WANTED: ECH provides compassionate care through a team of professional staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Just a few hours a month makes an impact. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689- 0300.

SENIORS VS. CRIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Seniors vs. Crime's Crestview office, which assists senior citizens whom someone scammed or took advantage of, needs help. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8. To volunteer, contact Office Manager Joe Loria, 306-3176, or Region 5 Deputy Director JB Whitten, 813-489-5657. Contact 800-203-3099, see www.seniorsvscrime.com, or email crestview@svcproject.org for more information.　

REPORT ELDERS ABUSE: Call the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) if you suspect elderly friends and neighbors are being abused. Many elders may suffer from financial exploitation, neglect or physical or emotional abuse, often caused by family members. The NFAAA is a private, non-profit agency supported by the federal Older Americans Act and the State of Florida General Revenue Fund through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Gwen Rhodes, 494-7100 or rhodesg@nwflaaa.org

UWF ACADEMIC ADVISING: The University of West Florida offers assistance with admissions, academic and degree advising and registration in Crestview. Contact Deborah Cluff, 863-6550, to schedule an appointment for first Thursdays at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1446 Commerce Drive.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE: Need help? Contact the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, 409-3070, www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org; Opportunity Inc., 659-3190; or Helping Hands of Crestview, 428 McLaughlin St., behind First United Methodist Church. Helping Hands is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

WOMEN AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND EDUCATION: a Crestview-based Community Drug and Alcohol Council program that helps pregnant women with substance abuse. 689-4024.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Eligible low-income families can receive financial assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Apply at www.elc-ow.org. Hover over "Services" and click "School Readiness" to register.

FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING: By appointment, Crestview Public Library and Elder Services of Okaloosa County, in Crestview, 494-7101 or 1-866-531-8011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Nonprofit seeks Crestview area lots for families needing housing. 758-0779 or 315-0025.

VA VETERANS CRISIS LINE: Veterans in crisis, their families and friends can call 800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1 to talk with qualified, caring VA responders. Confidential. www.veteranscrisisline.net.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEEDS MENTORS: Adult volunteers spend two hours weekly mentoring children. Pairs go to the library, museum, park or beach, hike, roller-skate or play sports. 664-5437.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS: Group needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

FREE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROPOFF: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Okaloosa County Recycling Office, 80 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa residents may drop off paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, antifreeze, computers, televisions, fluorescent lamps, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, aerosols and printers.

MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida seeks friendly, reliable volunteers to greet guests and answer phones in its gift shop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 678-2615, stop by 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, or email info@heritage-museum.org.

CARS NEEDED: Opportunity Inc. accepts donations of cars, boats and other vehicles to support Opportunity Place, an emergency shelter for families. Shelley Poirrier, 409-3070 or shelley@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org.

SHELTER HOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT: It costs just more than $100 a day to shelter a domestic violence victim. Every little bit helps. 683-0845.

DRIVE VETERANS: Help veterans attend appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola two days a month. Veterans Service Office, 689-5922.

LAKEVIEW CENTER'S FAMILIES FIRST NETWORK NEEDS BEDS: Donations wanted for local children in protective services. Cribs and beds for children must be in good condition. 833-3840.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELPING HANDS: North Okaloosa County services calendar

Here are upcoming Crestview Public Library-related events. The library's address is 1445 Commerce Drive.

RECURRING

POETRY OPEN MIC READING: 6:30 p.m. second Tuesdays. Arrive at 6 p.m. for conversation and snacks. Poets and musicians may read, perform, improvise and play together. Free. Details: Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432. The next one is 6:30 p.m. June 11 at the library.

ADULT COLORING THERAPY: 5-6 p.m. third Mondays for ages 18 or older. Hot tea, coloring pages, pencils and markers are provided.

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. fourth Mondays, Crestview Public Library. www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php.

SCRABBLE CLUB: 11 a.m. Thursdays and 5 p.m. every third Monday. Registration is not required. Call 682-4432 for more information.

BEGINNER'S CHESS CLUB: 3:15-5 p.m. every first and third Thursday at the library. For ages 6 and up. Learn to play the game.

FAMILY HISTORY CLUB: 10 a.m. to noon every third Thursday features the basics and a question-and-answer discussion led by volunteer Cindy Barber. Contact dotdane99@gmail.com for information.

ESSENTIAL OILS 101: 6 p.m. every fourth Thursday and 2:30 p.m. every fourth Saturday learn about essential oils with volunteer consultant Lynisha Smith. Contact 758-6482 or YLBlessed1@gmail.com for more information.

TEEN TIME: 2-4 p.m. Fridays at the library for students in grades six through 12.

COFFEE & CRAFT: 10 a.m. second Saturdays, Crestview library. Call 682-4432 to reserve your spot.

BRIGHT FUTURES VOLUNTEER HOURS: for students in grades nine through 12 to use toward Bright Futures scholarships. Contact Youth Librarian Heather Nitzel, 682-4432, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Public Library events

As a new school season starts, we at the library find ourselves changing with the season. This month we wish two of our talented team members, Rebecca Petty and Angie Wolf, a fond farewell as they pursue new opportunities.

These young ladies spearheaded Art After Hours and Cooking on a Budget. Though these programs will no longer be offered, we will host cooking classes led by the fantastic staff from the University of Florida Okaloosa County Extension Office. These classes will include foil pack meals and quick bread. Registration is required.

Petty also leaves a legacy in the form of our new Intro to Sewing classes, which we are proud to announce will continue under the instruction of a community volunteer.

Cooking classes will expand this fall with bread making basics, including sourdough, and a pasta class. We invite those with talent and experience in these areas who would be interested in assisting with classes to contact Jean McCarthy at 682-4432.

Coffee & Craft, on break for August, resumes with a limited class on acrylic resin pour painting. Supplies and spaces are extremely limited. Registration opens Aug. 12.

October will feature bandana pumpkins, a simple hand-sewn project. In November we will design a tulle turkey wreath. Closing out the year, we will paint glass ornaments in December.

Jean McCarthy is the Crestview Public Library's administrative assistant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cooking, craft classes at Crestview library

Soil scientists like to use the phrase “it depends” an awful lot for educated folks.

Before getting a master’s degree in soil science, I used to get very frustrated with that answer. Now I find myself saying just that to clients. Case in point: a client who hadn’t had a soil test done lately wanted to know if they could fertilize a pasture and if so, with what. My answer: … It depends!

Without a soil sample being performed, I don’t know several very important pieces of information I need in order to answer that question. First, I need to know the soil pH. If the pH isn’t right, fertilization is a waste of time and money.

Different plants have different needs. Some plants need more phosphorus than others. Some need more iron or zinc or copper. The availability of these elements not only depends on whether they are present in the soil but also on the soil pH.

Chemistry that you didn’t think you would need in high school comes into play here. Luckily you have me, several other agents and Master Gardener volunteers to lean on for help here.

So back to the example above, I asked the client to do a soil sample before I could answer that question. This is commonly what we will ask when clients ask for fertilization recommendations. This isn’t because we want the client to spend money on the test (It only costs $7). It is because we can’t make a good recommendation without it. I would hate for our recommendation to waste a client’s time and money.

So the moral of the story here is: Test, don’t guess! It takes a week or two to get the full soil sample results back and costs only $7 per sample. That’s a pretty cheap investment.

Whether you are planning for a fall garden, a wildlife food plot or winter forages, don’t waste time and money guessing. Run the soil test so you know exactly what you need to do.

Contact our office at 850-689-5850 for more information on soil testing.

Jennifer Bearden 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: It all depends on soil pH

The Okaloosa County Commission will conduct an executive session at the conclusion of its regularly scheduled board meeting on Aug. 20 at the County Commissioners Conference Room at the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway in Shalimar.

The executive session has been scheduled to discuss ongoing litigation. The session will begin following the completion of the matters on the agenda for the regularly scheduled Aug. 20 meeting. It is estimated to begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. and will last for approximately 30 minutes.

The subject matter of the executive session is to discuss litigation strategy and settlement relating to the lawsuit Inland Services of Florida Inc. v. Okaloosa County. The discussions in this session shall be confined to settlement negotiations or strategy sessions related to litigation expenditures as to these litigation matters. The session will be recorded by a certified court reporter. The meeting be attended by Chairman Kelly Windes, Vice Chairman Trey Goodwin, Commissioner Graham Fountain, Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, Commissioner Nathan Boyles, County Administrator John Hofstad, County Attorney Greg Stewart, and the certified court reporter.

Following the closed session, the board will reconvene in open session in the County Commission meeting room, at which time Windes will announce the termination of the executive session. The board at that time shall take such action as is necessary on this matter and will adjourn the regularly scheduled board meeting.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: County Commission schedules executive session

VALPARAISO — Okaloosa Gas District crews will perform pipeline maintenance on two Crestview streets.

From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 12, crews will work in the eastbound lane of Long Drive and northbound lane of Smith Street.

The company requests that area residents take precautions or seek alternative routes when traveling on or near those streets.

The maintenance poses no interruption in natural gas service to customers.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Natural gas pipeline maintenance scheduled in Crestview