All area codes are 850 unless specified.

 

Escape to Create

Events for this year’s Escape to Create will take place on the following dates. For information, call 534-0000.

•Jan. 29-30: Seaside Prize Weekend with ceremony, dinner and forums. Architect: Dhiru Thadani. Visit www.seasideinstitute.org.

 

Used Book Sale

The Friends of the Coastal Branch Library will hold a Used Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 29 at 437 Greenway Trail. Most hardback books will sell for $1 with some specialty or large coffee table books up to $5. Paperback books are 50 cents. To donate books, take them to the Library Jan. 28. Members of the Friends are invited for a preview or presale from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 28.

 

Florida Trail Association

The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number. 

•Jan. 29: A 4-mile night hike around Bear Lake at 5 p.m. with dinner and malts afterwards at the Gator Cafe. Call 682-6098.

•Feb. 5: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance on Eglin reservation at 8 a.m.  Call 492-8258.
•Feb. 20: Annual awards banquet at Red Barn BBQ Restaurant in Milton at 5 p.m. Call 932-2557.
•Feb. 22: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Ed’s Hometown Seafood Steaks in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.
•Feb 25-27: Three day two night 19-mile backpacking trip at 8 a.m. on the Nokuse section in Walton County. Call 492-8258.
•Feb. 26: Ten-mile hike on Eglin in the Alaqua section at 9 a.m. Eglin recreation permit required. Call 682-6098.

 

Auditions

The Florida Chautauqua Theatre in DeFuniak Springs will hold auditions for high school age through adult for “Murder Can Be Habit Forming” at 6 p.m. Feb. 1. Performance dates are April 15-17. Call 892-9494 or e-mail info@fcweb.org.

 

Barney Birthday Bash

Barney Friends will sing and dance during Barney Live in Concert — Birthday Bash at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Marina Civic Center, 8 Harrison Ave. in Panama City. Tickets are $15 and $20, with a limited number of $25 Gold Circle Seats and $50 Dino Seats, and go on sale Jan. 10 at 850-763-4696 or www.marinaciviccenter.com.

 

Sinfonia Gulf Coast

Sinfonia Gulf Coast will commemorate its fifth anniversary with a season of concerts, an exhibition of fine art, social events and a talented headlining guest artist. For more information, to purchase season tickets or to learn more about Sinfonia’s Fifth, visit www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call 269-7129.

Events and concerts include:

•Feb. 4: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse Wine Bar will present an intimate wine dinner with Sinfonia guest musicians Nick Kendall and Chris Brubeck. Tickets are $90 and include all food, wine and gratuities.

•Feb. 4: Concert features the return of violin phenomenon Nick Kendall performing the Southeast U.S. premier of Chris Brubeck’s Spontaneous Combustion for Violin and Orchestra, with the composer in attendance, at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.

•March 17: St. Paddy’s Pops will feature the orchestra and the return of Irish instrumental ensemble Mithril. The event will be hosted at the Emerald Coast Conference Center complete with pre-concert St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

•April 16: “Beethoven and Botox” is a much-anticipated event to be held at Rolland’s Beauty Bar and Art Gallery in Seaside, with special guest Dr. James Patrinely.

•May 21: The first “bravo! beat 5K” run at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

•May 29: Sinfonia returns to Alys Beach for Sinfonia Goes Pops Under the Palms. This free community concert will feature light classics, Broadway show tunes and patriotic selections with a fireworks finale.

 

Topsail tours

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach will hold the following tours. A $6 park entrance fee is required, except for Breakfast with a Ranger. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. For information, call 267-8330.

 

Emerald Coast Pipes Drums

All performing and student bagpipers, former and current marching band snare, tenor, and bass drummers are welcome to join the Emerald Coast Pipes Drums in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties. The group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church in Niceville, 214 Partin Drive for beginner bagpiping classes and 6:30 p.m. for rehearsals for performing players. If interested, call 243-2879, 226-1700 or e-mail ecppesanddrums@cox.net.

 

Local discount

The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort Spa will have a 15 percent discount for Okaloosa and Walton County residents with valid ID during Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sandcastles restaurant. Guests will enjoy live jazz piano entertainment, and adults 21 years of age or older will receive one complimentary mimosa or glass of champagne with each adult brunch purchased. The Sunday Brunch is $19.95/adult and $9.95/child ages 7-12. Children under 6 are complimentary with paid adult. Reservations recommended at 267-9500, ext. 43.

 

Amateur Radio Club

The Chautauqua Amateur Radio Club of DeFuniak Springs/Walton County meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of every month at McLean’s Restaurant near I10 and 331 South. This club welcomes new and old Ham Radio operators. There are no business meetings on these Tuesdays. We have classes and a great time together. Call 892-2562 or e-mail kj4jah@arrl.net.

 

Rotary Club of South Walton

The Rotary Club of South Walton meets for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. each Thursday morning at the Embassy Suites, Scenic Hwy. 98 in Miramar Beach. Visiting Rotarians and their guests are welcome. Call 267-2929.

 

Herman Lodge

Herman Lodge #108 Free and Accepted Masons will meet at 7 p.m. first and third Tuesdays of each month on Madison Street in Freeport. Call 835-2314.

 

Eastern Star

The Order of the Eastern Star #281 meets at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Fridays of each month at Herman Lodge on Madison Street in Freeport. Call 835-2314.

 

New SHRM Chapter

A new Society of Human Resource Management Chapter in Walton County will meet at 8 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at TJ’s Table in Freeport. The group is currently seeking new members and is open to all individuals involved in any aspect of human resources. E-mail rpazik@jobsplus02.com or call 892-8668, ext. 215. 

 

Prime Time programs

Coastal Branch Library’s Prime Time meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday mornings through March 9 at 437 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach. Demetrius Fuller will talk about the upcoming Sinfonia Gulf Coast season Feb. 2. Call 267-2809.

 

Black Tie and Blue Jeans Gala

Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll will be the honored speaker at the Black Tie and Blue Jeans Gala commemorating the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Coral Ballroom at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort. The Walton Republican Woman Federated sponsors this event and tickets are available for $55 each with limited seating. Call 837-5321 for more information.

 

Master Gardener Course

Applications are being accepted for the 50-hour Master Gardener Course to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Thursday, Feb. 10-April 21. Applicants must attend all classes. Most classes are held at the Walton County Extension Office, 732 N 9th Street in DeFuniak Springs. Some field trips are planned. In addition to classroom work, students are expected to participate in community volunteer projects to receive certification. Fifty volunteer hours must be accumulated within one year of course completion. Contact the Walton County Extension Office at 892-8172 to receive an application. Applications must be returned by Jan. 31. 

 

Fish fry

St. Rita Catholic Church, 137 Moll Drive in Santa Rosa Beach, will hold a fish fry from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11. Adults are $9/plate and children 6-12 are $3.50/plate. Take out available. Proceeds will benefit outreach programs. Call 267-2558. Other dates are Feb. 25 and Mach 11.

 

Carrabba’s Wine Dinner

Carrabba’s in Miramar Beach will host a Wine Dinner to benefit the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s educational programs and cultural events in Okaloosa and Walton Counties at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Tickets are $50/Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation members and $65 not-yet members. Make reservations at 650-2226.

 

Community Yard Sale

The semi-annual Seaside Community Yard Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Seaside Amphitheater. Nearly 100 vendors will sell a variety of items. Call 231-6107.

Tri Delta Alumnae

The Tri Delta Emerald Coast Alumnae Chapter will meet at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 12 at the Fort Walton Yacht Club. Speaker will be Tim Ryan, a florist in Santa Rosa Beach. 

 

Florida: Then and Now lecture series

The Niceville Public Library Friends of the Library group and Northwest Florida State College, in partnership with the Florida Humanities Council, will host a series of free public lectures by state and local experts who will explore various aspects of the recent Gulf oil spill from metaphysical, to environmental and economic perspectives. For information, call 678-5484 or e-mail pamsmith2@cox.net. Seminars include:

•Feb. 17:  Dr. Rick Harper, director of the Haas Center at the University of West Florida, will speak at 7 p.m. at the Niceville Community Center. He will discuss the UWF Haas Center’s efforts to quantify the size and distribution of the effects of the oil spill, and what the residual damage will be.

•March 17: Dr. Fritz Davis, professor of history at FSU, will speak at 7 p.m. at the Niceville Community Center. He will discuss “Archie Carr: The Man Who Saved Sea Turtles” which tells the story of Archie Carr who was the world’s authority on the ecology, migrations and conservation of sea turtles. Davis will offer information about the oil spill’s short-term and lasting effects on the Gulf’s sea turtles.

 

Sandestin Gumbo Festival

The 22nd Annual Gumbo Cook-off, now The Sandestin Gumbo Festival begins at 6 p.m. Friday evening with a “Taste of The Village” and continues with the main event from 12 to 4 p.m. Feb. 19 with the Gumbo Cook-off. Enjoy regional cuisine, gumbo and Bloody Mary’s while listening to live music and enjoying children’s entertainment. Festival attendees will vote for “The People’s Choice” awards in gumbo and Bloody Mary’s. 

Tickets are $15/advance and $25/door. Receive a $5 discount on the ‘day of’ entry fee at the event by donating five or more non-perishable items at the door. Tickets are available through select participating businesses and restaurants and online at www.sandestin.com/gumbo. A portion of the net proceeds will benefit Caring Sharing of Walton County and Walton County Education Foundation.

 

Rock the Slots

The Junior League of the Emerald Coast signature spring event, Rock the Slots, takes place Feb. 25 at the Hard Rock Café in Destin. Rock the Red Carpet begins at 6:30 p.m. with food, entertainment and gaming beginning at 7 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased for $75 each, with a limited number of VIP tickets available for $100 each. Visit www.jlec.org or call 862-2665.

Artists performing will be Audrey Belle of Nashville, Evan Barber and the Dead Gamblers of Albany, Ga., Aron Shiers of Memphis, and Chronic Jester of Destin. Entertainment includes gaming in the form of blackjack, poker, roulette and slots. All proceeds will benefit the Junior League’s charitable programs throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties, including the League’s “Child Clothing Project.”

 

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra presents the popular “Stars of Tomorrow” features winners of the prestigious regional Concerto Competition and a performance of the classic by Russian composer Prokofiev, “Peter and the Wolf” Feb. 25. Tickets can be purchased at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org, by phone at 729-6000, or in person from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office. Tickets are also available at the door starting at 6 p.m. the night of the concert for the same price as advance tickets. 

•April 30: The season finale, “Prayer, Beauty and Strength”, features Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with guest artist Anna Bulkina, 2009 Gold Medal winner of the Wideman Piano Competition, as well as a performance of the rarely heard Mozart motet Misericordias Domini and the popular and sublime Fauré Requiem with the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus.

 

Community Yard Sale

The Merchants of Gulf Place are currently seeking vendors for their Third Annual Community Yard Sale to be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Gulf Place amphitheater. The cost is $40 for a table, chairs, and a 10 by 10 space. Merchants and individuals are welcome to sell their wares. E-mail gulfplaceeventscorrd@gmail.com or call 267-8458.

 

Seaside Rep

Seaside Repertory Theatre recently announced a season packed with good ole gals, gripping drama and holiday charm.

For the Mainstage Season, subscription prices are $100 for all five shows. Single tickets will go on-sale approximately six to eight weeks prior to each performance opening. Shows for the Summer Repertory season are free.

Mainstage Season

•Honky Tonk Angels: March 24-April 16, $30.

•Matt Ben: April 21-30 at 7:30 p.m. $25.

•Around the World in 80 Days: June 16-July 30 at 7:30 p.m. $25.

•The Turn of the Screw: Oct. 6 -22 at 7:30 p.m. $25.

•Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!): Nov. 25-Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. $25.

Summer Repertory Season

•Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: March 14-April 4, June 9-Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. Thursdays in Alys Beach at the Alys Amphitheatre.

•The Stinky Cheese Man: May 23-Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Mondays in the Seaside Amphitheatre.

•How I Became a Pirate: May 31-Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Watercolor in the Marina Park Amphitheatre.

•The Commedia Pinocchio: June 1-Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Rosemary Beach in North Barrett Square.

 

Lecture series

Composer David Ott will hold his six-week music lecture series, “101 Things About Music You Wanted to Know, But Did Not Know Who To Ask”, at 1 p.m. Mondays through Feb. 28, at Faith Assembly Church in Miramar Beach. Hear interesting stories about classical music’s greatest composers and ask musical questions of Ott. The first lecture is free; subsequent lectures are $5 per session. Call 460-2618 or visit www.davidottcomposer.com.

 

Antique and Vintage Car Show

The 10th Annual Rt. 30A Antique and Vintage Car Show will be held March 26 on the lawns of Rosemary Beach with a variety of antique, classic and vintage cars from years gone by. For the first time, prizes will be awarded in various categories, as well as the annual People’s Choice Awards. There will be entertainment, gift bags for those who participate, commemorative posters and demonstrations. Entry fee is $20/advance and $25/day of show. Proceeds go to benefit various charities in and around the Florida Emerald Coast. Call 951-2148.