Community Calendar

Saturday, Feb. 20

Firefighters garage sale

The South Walton Professional Firefighters Local 3516 will host a garage sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 20 at 267 Churchill Bayou Road in Santa Rosa Beach. A tentative rain date has been scheduled for March 6 with the same time and location. Furniture, toys, clothes, knick-knacks and other treasures will be on hand. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Concert

Escape to Create presents American tenor, Nathan Granner, in concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at a Seaside Avenue residence. Seating is limited. Cost of $75 includes wine and hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds benefit Escape to Create artist-in-residence program. For tickets, call 504-534-0000 or e-mail escapetocreate@gmail.com.

Camellia Festival and Heritage Day

Celebrate the camellia from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 20 at Eden Gardens State Park in Point Washington. Stroll through the camellias, picnic on the grounds and attend talks and demonstrations on plant care. National camellia judge Manson Markette will be available throughout the day to discuss camellia care and to identify blooms, with leaves, brought in by the public.  The Park is north of U.S. 98 on CR 395. Call 246-0046 or 267-8322.

Florida Trail Association

The Florida Trail Association awards banquet and potluck dinner will be held at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 20 at Bear Lake. Call 932-0125.

Topsail tours

A 2010 Step-Up Florida dune ecosystems hike will be held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 20 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Visitors will be guided down the paved tram path to get to the beach where they will learn about the plants and animals that live in a dune ecosystem.  A $3 park entrance fee is required. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. For information, call 267-8330.

Farmers Market

The Seaside Farmers Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Amphitheater behind Raw & Juicy. Find fresh produce, baked goods and other unique offerings, and enjoy local specialties, cooking demos and activities.

Sunday, Feb. 21

Art in Public Places

The Walton County Tourist Development Council and Friends of Coastal Brach Library will exhibit the works of Lois Kennedy during the Art in Public Places exhibit in February.

Monday, Feb. 22

Talent Quest Sunshine State 2010

Karaoke Café in Baytowne Wharf continues the local portion of Talent Quest Sunshine State 2010, a Statewide Karaoke singing championship at 9 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until March 6. Local judging will be done by Top This! Resident KJ Sinatra Morgan and Marketing Director Tammy Lenhardt The March 6th Finals will feature judges from the Talent Quest of FL and include $100 in Cash & Prizes for each winner! Contestants wanting to join in this festive event are urged to call 424-5322 or stop by Top This! between the hours of 2 and 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Escape to Create reception

A cocktail reception featuring a reading by author Roger Reid, selected to receive one of Escape’s artist residences, will be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Rosemary Beach home of Claire Bannerman and John Czapleski. Tickets are $20 and will benefit Escape to Create. For tickets, call 534-0000.

Friday, Feb. 26

First Arts Concert Series

The 21st season of First Arts Concerts presents pianist Thomas Pandolfi at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at First United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach.

Season and individual tickets can be purchased at www.firstartsconcerts.org or call 243-6083 for a brochure. 

St. Rita Preschool culinary challenge

Sign yourself or your team up to compete with the friends and parents of St. Rita Preschool at the Second Annual “So…You Think You Can Cook” Challenge during the 2010 Spring Fundraiser. The People’s Choice winner of the competition will claim the “Secret Award”, acknowledgement in the Saint Rita Cookbook and major bragging rights. Teams are required to provide sampling portions of their entry for each patron to taste at the event. The winner will be judged by popular vote and will be announced at the end of the evening.

The St. Rita Preschool Cook-off is from 7 to 9 p.m. March 20 at Fonville Press at Alys Beach. Deadline for registration is Feb. 26. For information e-mail stritacookoff@yahoo.com or call 238-5444

Workshop

Seagrove Garden Club will sponsor an organic garden on the Alaqua property where the harvest will be sold to support the animals. To prepare the garden, the club will sponsor a pruning workshop with Walton County Extension Office agent Eddie Powell from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 26 at Alaqua, 914 Whitfield Road in Freeport. No reservations necessary. Bring gloves, hand tools, questions, and hot coffee. Call 916-316-6820.

Saturday, Feb. 27

Community Yard Sale

Merchants and individuals are welcome at the Community Yard Sale at Gulf Place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27. Call 835-1584 or e-mail permakat@gmail.com.

Art workshop

Francis X. Pavy will conduct an Art Block Printing Workshop for the Cultural Arts Association of Walton County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Point Washington United Methodist Church on North County Road 395 in Santa Rosa Beach. The registration fee is $50 plus a $25 supply fee. All students should bring a sack lunch. To register, call 622-5970.