Community Calendar

Saturday, March 20

Purple Passion Gala & Auction

Shelter House will host the Seventh Annual Purple Passion Gala and Auction from 7 to 11 p.m. March 20 at the Linkside Center at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Fundraiser includes dinner, dancing, musical entertainment Jones & Company and a live and silent auction.

Tickets are $75 per person and $100 at the door. Purchase tickets at www.shelterhousenwfl.org.

St. Rita Preschool culinary challenge

The St. Rita Preschool Cook-off is from 7 to 9 p.m. March 20 at Fonville Press at Alys Beach.

Trunk show

Roxy Lentz, jeweler from Indiana, will be the guest artist at Newbill Collection By The Sea, 309 Ruskin Place in Ruskin Place Artist Colony in Seaside, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20. The jewelry trunk show, “Uncommon Adornments Made from Metals with a History” will include one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches made from recycled copper, silver plate and brass.

Ensembles: An Adventure in Chamber Music

The Arsenal Trio – violinist Benjamin Sung, cellist Hrant Parsamian and pianist Jihye Chang – will take audiences on a musical journey at 7 p.m. March 20 in Town Hall at Rosemary Beach. The event is free.

Art in the Park

A variety of artists and vendors will exhibit their works at The WaterColor Community Association’s Fifth Annual Art in the Park from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 20 in WaterColor’s Town Center and Cerulean Park.

Seaside Repertory Theatre

Tickets are on sale for the reprisal of the hit musical play, Always … Patsy Cline, which will run at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through April 10, in the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre on Quincy Circle in Seaside. Tickets are $29, and $25 for members and can be purchased at SeasideRep.org or call 231-0733.

A pre-show 10th anniversary season celebration will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. March 20, featuring live music by Dread Clampitt, food, beer, wine and fun.

Alaqua at Barefoot Princess

Alaqua Animal Refuge will be at Barefoot Princess at the WaterColor Town Center from 9 to 11 a.m. March 20 and mimosas and a light breakfast will be served. A special gift with purchase will be offered and proceeds from a silent auction will benefit Alaqua. The Animal Refuge will bring some of its small animals that are in need of a loving home. Barefoot Princess will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from Lilly Pulitzer sales during the event to Alaqua.

Topsail tour

A Step-Up Florida tracking animals walk will be held at 9 a.m. March 20 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. An outdoor interpretive will focus on tracking animals and finding out how many are in an area. Be sure to wear sunscreen and boot and be ready to hike at lest two miles. For information, call 267-8330.

Florida Trail Association

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

•March 20: A 3-, 6-, or 8-mile hike in the Cimarron section at 8 a.m. Eglin permit required. Call 682-6098.

•March 23: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Bayou Blues Restaurant in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

•March 26–28: Annual Conference and Hiking Festival in Haines City, Fla. Call 877-HIKE-FLA.

•March 27: Kid’s Hike & Interactive Experience at 9 a.m. at the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center. Call 974-2078.

•March 27: Hike on the Dunes Trail at 9 a.m. Call 932-546.

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.

Northwest Florida Ballet

An E. T. A. Hoffman tale takes center stage in the spring when the NFB performs Dr. Coppelius’ Magic Toy Shoppe at 7:30 p.m. March 20 and 2:30 p.m. March 21 at the Arts Center. A Tutu Couture party for girls will be held in conjunction with this event at Toy Magic in Uptown Station. Call NFB for more information and to purchase tickets.

The season concludes with NFB’s free outdoor Starlight Ballet performances at Rosemary Beach. Call ballet’s offices for further dates and times.

Sunday, March 21

Scoops for a Cause

Get ice cream all day, with 10 percent of proceeds going to the South Walton Relay for Life, from 11 a.m. to 10 pm. March 21 at Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream in Grand Boulevard. Band members will distribute information as well as decorate and sell luminaries.

Monday, March 22

Groovin’ On The Green

The Carillon Beach Institute presents a free concert with Jones and Company from 7 to 9 p.m. March 22 on the Village Green in Carillon Beach. Bring chairs or blankets, a cooler and snacks. Call 234-7819.

Stories by the Sea

Join the Seaside Repertory Theatre as they present a one-of-a-kind storytelling experience for children of all ages at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, through March 31 and April 1-9. Each day will offer a new story and there might even be opportunities for participation.

Tuesday, March 23

Torchlight Film Series

The Torchlight Film Series reconvenes next week with a series of conversations between Torchlight Director Paul Cohen and celebrity guest Stephen Baldwin. The first conversation will be at 7:30 p.m. March 23 at the WaterColor Boathouse, accompanied by a screening of “The Flyboys”.

The conversation continues at 7:30 March 25 in the Lyceum Meeting Room, 42 Smolian Circle, Floor 2, in Seaside.

The final conversation will be presented with a screening of “Midnight Clear,” based on the short story by best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins, at 7:30 p.m. March 26 at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall, 48 S. Barrett Square.

U.S. Census test dates

Test dates for the U.S. Census are 9:30 a.m. March 23 and 30 at the South Walton Utilities. Applicants need to bring proper id: Passport, drivers license in conjunction with SS card, or birth certificate.

Wildlife Lighting workshop

The Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida Extension Office, and the South Walton Turtle Watch will offer a 2-hour workshop on Wildlife Lighting along the beachfront from 10 a.m. to noon March 23 at the South Walton Extension Office, 70 Logan Lane in Grayton Beach. Participants will learn about threatened and endangered sea turtles that nest in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. They will also see how different types of lights affect the turtles, and what lights work best for sea turtles and people.  In addition, the workshop will include examples of different lights appropriate for beachfront development, and how property owners and managers can change or install the lights. Wildlife Lighting certification exams will also be available upon request. RSVP at 892-8172.

Turtle lighting workshop

There will be an informational workshop from 10 a.m. to noon March 23 at the South Walton Extension Office to discuss different lights and fixtures that are appropriate for wildlife friendly lighting compliance.  Assistance will be available to help property owners and managers to ensure installation of proper wildlife friendly lights.The lighting trailer will also be available to view during the workshop to get an idea of various light and fixture options.

Spring Fling Family Fun Night

Get ready for giant games, like Twister, Scrabble and Jenga, music and lots of family fun from 5 to 7 p.m. March 23 on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. Sign up for the Guitar Hero competition that starts at 7 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a great night of live music from 6 to 8 p.m. March 25 on North Barrett Square. All events are free.

Wednesday, March 24

Spring Concert Series

Seaside presents a free concert with Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes from 6 to 8 p.m. March 24 in Central Square on Scenic Hwy. 30-A. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Call 428-0825.

Public forum

“The Queen of Trees” will be the featured documentary at the public forum sponsored by the South Walton Community Council from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 24 at the Seaside Repertory Theater in Seaside. The event is free.

Shop for a Job festival

Silver Sands Factory Stores will host a “Shop for a Job” festival from 1 to 6 p.m. March 24 at Shopper Services, near Michael Kors and laoste. High school and college student are encouraged to attend to apply for summer jobs.

On March 24, the JobsPlus 40-foot Mobile One-Stop vehicle will be stationed at Silver Sands from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to facilitate the hiring process by allowing applicants to go online to corporate Web sites and apply for jobs at Silver Sands.

Thursday, March 25

Easter Egg Hunt

The Friends of the Coastal Branch Library will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to noon March 25 at 437 Greenway Trail behind the government center on Highway 331 South. Children will meet in the story time area of the library before the Egg Hunt. Party with refreshments will follow. Call 267-2809.

Friday, March 26

Cinema Friday

Grab your blankets and head to the Amphitheater for movies under the stars at 7:30 p.m. March 26, April 2 and 6 in Central Square.

Florida Scenic Highway Day

Walton County’s Scenic 30-A corridor will celebrate its natural, cultural, historic, recreational, archeological, and scenic resources during Florida Scenic Highway Day. An opening ceremony will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 26 at the Walton County District 5 office, 70 Logan Lane in Santa Rosa Beach.

That evening and the following day, visitors can stop by the office to pick up brochures, educational materials and other information about Scenic Highway 30-A. On Saturday March 27, visitors can tour the Scenic Highway on buses that will depart from the office.

Saturday, March 27

Antique and Vintage Car Show

Join antique and vintage car collectors, clubs and owners as they gather on the lawns of Rosemary Beach for the Ninth Annual Rt. 30A Antique and Vintage Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27.

The event will include entertainment throughout the day, demonstrations, a People's Choice award, and a chance to see automotive history. This event is free and open to the public.

Applications are now being accepted for automobiles manufactured before 1970. Entry fee is $20 per vehicle in advance and $25 the day of the show, with proceeds going to the recovery and rebuilding funds for the earthquake victims of Haiti.

For more information or registration, call Hilltop Productions at 951-2148 or visit www.hilltopproductionsinc.com.

Biophilia Center open house

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation will host “Creating a Garden with Children” Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27. The exhibit hall will be open, guided hikes will be available, scheduled films will be featured and Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist children in planting seedlings in the Center’s new vegetable garden. Public is welcome. Call 835-1824.

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Fieldtrip

Take a fieldtrip to Ft. Morgan, Ala., for spring bird banding on March 27. Call trip leader Don Ware at 862-6582 for details.

Rummage sale

The Chautauqua porcelain artists rummage sale will be held beginning at 8 a.m. March 27 at the Life Enrichment Senior Center, 312 College Ave. in Defuniak Springs.

Upcoming

Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook

The United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties is gathering information on children’s summer programs for the “2010 Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook,” designed to help parents find safe, fun and educational daytime summer activities for children. Programs offered must be for youth ages 4 through 18 and held during June, July and August. If your agency/business offers such summer programs, send a general description of the programs to have listed including dates, times, cost and any items the children may need to bring. Send information to United Way, Attn: 2010 Summer Fun Guidebook, by mail: 112 Tupelo Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, fax: 243-6625 or e-mail events@united-way.org.  Deadline is April 9. The Guidebook will be available the first week of May. Call 243-0315 to request a copy or download it at www.united-way.org.