CRESTVIEW — A club for Northwest Florida horse owners has formed in Crestview with the goal of promoting harmony between the horse and owner.

Meetings — 6-7:45 p.m. first Wednesdays of the month— will include socializing, a meal and club business. The first meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at David's Catfish House, 1296 Ferdon Blvd. N, Crestview.

The club will have guest speakers on related topics and training sessions with obstacle courses, drill team training, night rides, trail rides and guest speaker topics such as first aid on the trail, horse nutrition and health, how a horse thinks and horse therapy.

The club will also promote goodwill in the community by entering parades and attending other local events from DeFuniak Springs to Destin, and Navarre Beach to Milton.

Contact Tom Moody, 682-5399 or tomandcarolretired@cox.net, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Saddle Club sets first meeting

CRESTVIEW — Here are some submitted photos from the eclipse that occurred Aug. 21 in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Solar eclipse photos

CRESTVIEW — Three area residents have completed U.S. military basic training.

Seaman Kaleb Casey graduated from eight weeks of Coast Guard seamanship training in Cape May, New Jersey, and Air Force Airman 1st Class Tanner C. Feldhausen and Airman Kendra A. Alicea Rosa graduated from eight weeks of training including military discipline and studies of basic warfare principles and skills at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

Casey, a 2017 Crestview High School graduate, reported for duty Aug. 9 at Portsmouth, Virginia. His parents are Kevin and Lisa Casey of Crestview. His sister, Madisen Casey, and grandparents, Douglas Casey, Marie Casey, Mack Blue, and Rex and Marie White, are Crestview residents.

Feldhausen's parents are James and Daniela Feldhausen of Laurel Hill, and Kara and Ira Dubin of Boise, Idaho. He is a 2017 graduate of Timberline High School, Boise.

Alicea Rosa is the daughter of Yazmin E. and step-daughter of Jean Michael M. Emmanuelli of Crestview. She is a 2017 graduate of Crestview High School.

Note: There were a number of errors in the announcement for Seaman Kaleb Casey on the News Bulletin's part. We apologize for the errors and have corrected them for our online and print editions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview, Laurel Hill residents graduate from basic military training

MILTON — The Florida Forest Stewardship Program and the Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area are presenting a workshop for landowners.

Invasive Exotic Species and Control is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at the University of Florida Extension office on Airport Road in Crestview.

Topics include herbicide labels, required personal protective equipment, applications techniques, herbicide resistance, modes of action and rotation.

There will also be a control update on terrestrial and aquatic invasive exotic plants, invasive species identification and look-alikes, established and new invasive exotic insects, and working with the Six Rivers CISMA.

Participants can learn about identifying and controlling cogongrass, Japanese climbing fern, privets and other non-native invasive species.

Attendees may earn pesticide applicator and forestry CEUs.

Registration is $10 per person. Go to https://fsp-workshop092817.eventbrite.com or call 689-5850 to register.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages 37 state forests on more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Workshop to focus on invasive species

The season has not really started yet and they are all looking for heads to roll at Tennessee, Louisiana State University and Mississippi, where Rebels Coach Hugh Freeze didn't make it to the first game. He's gone. The same can happen to Tennessee and LSU.

On Sept. 2 it will be the Florida State Seminoles versus Alabama Crimson Tide for the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Saturday night, and on Monday night the Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets game is also part of the Chick-fil-a Kickoff. All four teams are making history in college football.

Here's something to look forward to during the game. Former University of Tennessee Coach Phillip Filmer has been hired to do many things in the athletic department and the university (wonder what that could be.)

The LSU Tigers (8-4) come right out with going to Provo, Utah to play the Brigham Young University Cougars (9-4). Now remember, LSU is known to fire its coaches at any time — like right after this game.

And one coach we cannot overlook is "WHO" Coach Lane Kiffin from Alabama, now head Coach of the Florida Atlantic Owls. I bet you'll see a bunch of heads turning there. This is not the school to watch, but just watch the coach. (He was to take over LSU but got stepped on.)

There are four games the weekend of Aug. 26:

Rice Owls vs. Stanford Cardinals: It's in Sydney, Australia. "The yanks really don't know how to play Australia football but us Down Under folks just love American college football." This game is going to be lopsided, with the Owls saying "'WHO' was that?" I predict it will be the Cardinals by 21.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. Massachusetts Minutemen: Even through the game is in Amherst, Massachusetts and not in Honolulu, Hawaii as everyone wanted, it's still the same outcome. It's over in minutes. Rainbow Warriors by 18.

South Florida Bulls vs. San Jose State Spartans: Spartans were 4-8 last year and I'm looking for the same this year. Bulls all over this game by 17.

Oregon State Beavers vs. Colorado State Rams: Rams are very stubborn animals, as is this team. They'll bang heads all day long with the Beavers in this game, and this could be the best game out of the four for this week. Rams by 10.

WRAP UP

Next week is the big week for everyone. You'll be reading a lot about the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac 12. It seems they are tired of the Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference always being in the sports media, so they complained to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. They told them they were losing money and they were not on TV as much as SEC and ACC.

The answer should have been "play better football and teams."

I will say this. Texas, Penn State, BYU, and Oregon are on their way back in the win column. Did you know ACC won more bowl games last year than anyone? No, SEC, you cannot "brag" about any of the bowl games. It seems the ACC are the ones you played most of the time.

SEC TOP TEAMS: Alabama, Georgia

ACC TOP TEAMS: Florida State, Louisville

If you're in the SEC/ACC and you must play any of these four teams, be afraid, be very afraid.

See you next week with all the SEC/ACC games.

Bill Everett is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and lives in the Baker area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: College football picks, week 1

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

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, Grandparents; Sept. 12 and 19, Magic Pasta Pot; Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, Hats Off to You (wear a favorite hat); Oct. 10, airport field trip at Bob Sikes Airport (www.emeraldcoastaviation.com); Oct. 24 and 31, Autumn and Halloween (wear a non-scary costume on Oct. 31); Nov. 7 and 14, Giving Thanks; Nov. 28, On the Road, Dec. 5 and 12, Wrap It Up.

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 9:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Sept. 1 and 8, Grandparents (bring biological or honorary grandparents if you like); Sept. 15 and 29, Mice; Oct. 6 and 13, Piggies; Oct. 20 and 27, Autumn and Halloween (wear non-scary costume if you like); Nov. 3 and 17, Thanksgiving; Dec. 1, On the Go; Dec. 8 and 15, Christmas.

FIRST TUESDAY TALKS: 10:30 a.m. first Tuesdays at the library. Topics are: Sept. 5, Fall Gardening in Northwest Florida, by Larry Williams, Okaloosa Extension Service; Oct. 3, Seniors and Fraud, by JB Whitten, Seniors vs. Crime spokesman and city councilman; and Nov. 7, How to Love Your Wardrobe, by Anna Maria Garza, fashion designer and stylist.

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: for ages 4 and up. Visit the library for details as the date nears. Here are other FLT Crestview library events.

• 6:30-7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 — The Library Run is a tour. Learn to use the catalog and race to find items.
• 5 or 6 p.m. Oct. 17 — Escape Room, 10 people per session. Register at the library to solve puzzles together.
• 6:30-7:15 p.m. Nov. 21 — Wild Things. Guess which wild animal left that. Dissect owl pellets.
• 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 — Noel Night. Music, makings and munchies.

READ TO DOZER: First Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.; for children ages 4 and up.

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

TEEN TIME: 2-4 p.m. Fridays in the meeting room, Crestview library. Wii and virtual reality games, etc. For grades 6-12. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LIBRARY EVENTS

CRESTVIEW — Attendees will learn the essentials for getting started in business at a Florida Small Business Development Center Starting a Business workshop.

The seminar is 1-5 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive. It includes information on idea evaluation, legal business structures, regulations & licensing, taxation and finding capital.

Cost is $50 (cash or check at the door) for the public, and free for University of West Florida students and employees with a Nautilus card.

Event instructors include Florida SBDC certified business consultants, faculty from higher education, government experts, and private-sector professionals.

Call 586-7809 or go to www.sbdc.uwf.edu and click on "Training Opportunities" for more information or to register.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Starting a Business' workshop set in Crestview

PENSACOLA — NAI Halford welcomed a Baker resident as a member of their professional team of commercial brokers and Realtors.

Doug Constantine is a licensed Florida real estate agent, and will serve NAI Halford clients in Okaloosa County with an emphasis in the Crestview market. He will also assist with the company’s Fort Walton and Destin business.

Constantine, who recently worked for with Assurance Realty of NWFL, LLC, brings regional experience to the firm. His sales portfolio for the past seven months includes $1,522,200 in closed sales.

Constantine spent 20 years in the US Air Force until 2015, serving on Eglin Air Force Base from 2002-2004, and he worked with a number of area defense contractors.

He is married to Jennifer and has two children, Hannah and Dylan.

NAI Halford opened in Pensacola in 1983 as Doug Halford and Associates. It serves the Northwest Florida market with a focus that includes sales, leasing, management, and consulting in commercial real estate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker man joins real estate firm

CRESTVIEW — Healthy Woman is a free North Okaloosa Medical Center resource, with the mission of empowering women to make informed health care decisions for themselves and their loved ones.

The organization's 14th annual dinner, a three-course meal by Chef Ernie Danjean, is 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

"The purpose of the annual dinner is to provide an elegant, educational and entertaining evening. We hope the attendees leave motivated, inspired and refreshed," HW spokesperson Alicia Booker said.

Comedian and motivational speaker Diana Jordan will provide the keynote address for the event. She'll use that sense of humor to impart a message based on the theme, "Live Laugh Love."

"I thoroughly enjoy the programs because they are full of useful information and give you the opportunity to ask specific questions of the speaker or get hands-on experience, like with the Heels and Wheels hands-on auto maintenance clinic or the breast self-exam education at the Paint it Pink events," Booker, an HW member since 2010, said.

Tickets are $30 per person. Visit www.northokaloosa.com/healthywoman or call 689-8446 to purchase.

More about Healthy Woman

Healthy Woman membership is free. Sponsor and community partner funds are used to support its programs throughout the year, including such projects as Back to School Stress Free, the Annual Paint it Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Event and Dance Your Heart Healthy.

"Healthy Woman events are held quarterly and help to provide women in our community information about health, relationships and life issues. Each quarterly event has a different focus based on feedback from the community on what they would like to know more about," Booker said.

"I would like to thank the many corporate partners that have faithfully supported the Healthy Woman Program.  Their involvement has helped us grow the program and educate our community since August of 2003," she said.

Visit NorthOkaloosa.com/HealthyWoman or contact Booker at 689-8446 to join.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NOMC Healthy Woman dinner to feature comedian Diana Jordan

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

CRESTVIEW — Crestview residents have launched a nonprofit, Bright Future Ministries, with the goal of helping homeless people rebuild their lives. Charles Salis Jr. and his wife, Candice, along with his father, Charles Salis Sr. of Detroit, Michigan, are setting the groundwork to establish a local shelter.

Charles Jr. said the idea to form Bright Future Ministries grew when he worked as a manager at the McDonald's on US Highway 90 in Crestview.

"I noticed a lot of homeless people that would want to come in and just cool off, and try and get something to eat, so I began to talk to them and many just needed a little help to get back on their feet. And that the shelters we have only give them a place to sleep, but offer no programs to help them start their lives over," the Crestview resident said.

Further research on the issue is what gave him and his wife the motivation to research homelessness and current shelters in Crestview.

"We learned that most shelters in our area don’t allow families to stay together in the shelter. The mother and children must go to one location and the father to another. And if the father has kids and is single, in most cases (they) have no place to stay together."

Charles Jr. resigned from the McDonald's manager position to be able to focus full time on establishing Bright Future Ministries. He, his wife and father plan to provide emergency shelter to homeless individuals and families within the next year, and provide them with the items they need to feel normal, Charles Jr. said. This includes things like clothes, shoes, socks, underwear and toiletries.

After it is established, the goal is to eventually expand the shelter to a full-service site, with skills training, discounted daycare to low-income families, employment services and two meals a day to any homeless persons. Services would also include Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous assistance, and help getting a General Education Diploma.

His wife said that helping in homeless shelters requires unconditional love and compassion for people of all kinds. "A person must be able to see everyone through the eyes of love … kindness is not just an act — it is a lifestyle," Candice said.

To better assist the people they want to help, the Salises acquired degrees in social work and other categories. "The degrees each of us hold will allow us to help a greater number of people," Charles Jr. said.

The former Eglin aircraft weapons loader and police officer has a master's in business administration and healthcare management. He also served as a firefighter temporarily at North Okaloosa Fire District.

Candice is currently working toward her master's in psychology. She is a BFM Board of Directors member and secretary, has a Bachelor of Science in forensic psychology, and associate of science degrees in paralegal studies and medical coding and billing.

Charles Salis Sr. is a licensed master social worker. He holds a bachelor of science in psychology and a master of science in social work, and serves as a member at large of the ministry's board of directors.

WANT TO HELP?

Interested persons may make a donation in person or online at http://brightfutureministries.webs.com to contribute to the Bright Future Ministries mission. They may also like, share, or follow www.facebook.com/BrightFutureMinistries/.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Kindness is not just an act — it is a lifestyle'