Upcoming Events and Entertainment 2-19

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Theatrical performances
Escape to Create presents “A Evening with Thom Gossom” at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at The Seaside Rep. Tickets are $30 and available at 534-0000 or e-mail escapetocreate@gmail.com. Roger Reid will open by reading from his new novel, “Time” written during his Escape to Create residency.

ECCAC Carnevale

The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center presents Carnevale at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort Linkside Center. The annual cocktail attire gala, with steak dinner, silent and live auctions, games, a chocolate fountain, a blackjack tournament, and chance to win a diamond and gold fleur de lis cocktail ring, is the Center’s largest fundraising event of the year. 
Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at 833-9237, ext. 56 or online at eccac.eventbrite.com. A pre-event online auction will be held be held through Feb. 24 and may be accessed at www.bluetreemarketing.com/eccac.

Alaqua Animal Refuge

Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union will host a party with Kirby Kangaroo and special guests from the Walton County Sheriff’s Department, South Walton Fire District, McGruff the Crime Dog and Smokey the Fire Dog from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 26 at 200 Mack Bayou Road in Santa Rosa Beach.

Booksigning
Wayne Rogers, a Destin resident and well-known as Trapper John from the TV show M*A*S*H*, will sign copies of his new book, “Make Your Own Rules”, from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 at Barnes & Noble in Destin.

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.

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.

•Feb. 26: Alligators, 1:30 p.m.

Adventure Club

•Feb. 26: Ride at Henderson Beach/Holiday Isle area of Destin. Meet at 11 a.m. at Henderson Beach State Park. There is a small entrance fee. Bring a picnic lunch. Call 581-4591.

Pilates & props on the Beach

Pilates by the Sea will host a Pilates and props class every Saturday at 8.30 a.m. at Ed Walline Beach. Enjoy class and make a small donation to support those in the fight against cancer. Call 585-7324 or e-mail pilatesbythesea@gmail.com for more information.

Florida Trail Association

The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number. 
•Feb. 26: Ten-mile hike on Eglin in the Alaqua section at 9 a.m. Eglin recreation permit required. Call 682-6098.

•March 4: Dinner hike in Milton at 6 p.m. Call 776-5147.
•March 5: Strenuous and adventurous hike of 21.5 miles on the Jackson Trail at 8 a.m. Call 982-4544.

•March 11-13: Annual Conference & Hiking Festival in Fruitland Park, Fla. Call 1-877-HIKE-FLA.
•March 12: A 3-mile Kids Hike on Eglin at 9 a.m. Call 683-0803.

•March 19: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance on Eglin at 8 a.m. Call 492-8258.

•March 19: Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip on Blackwater River at 8:30 a.m. Call 484-9111.
•March 22: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Ed’s Hometown Seafood & Steaks in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 546-1172.
•March 26: A 3, 6 or 8-mile hike on Eglin in the Cimarron section at 8 a.m. Eglin recreation permit required. Call 682-6098.

•March 26: A 3 to 4-mile hike in Blackwater Forest at 9 a.m. Call 484-0528.

Memoir writing workshop

Rita Silvan, Escape to Create artist-in-residence and founding editor of the Canadian edition of ELLE, will lead a memoir writing workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 26 at Rosemary Beach Town hall. Registration is $50. Call 534-0000.

Oscars At the Rep

The Seaside Repertory Theatre will host a fundraiser, Oscars At the Rep, at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre. Watch the Oscars on big screen and vote for your favorites to win. Don your best Oscar duds or not and sip complimentary champagne, enjoy hors d’oeuvres. Enter to win Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress. Tickets are $35 per person and are available online at seasiderep.org, by phone at 231-0733 or in person at Amavida Coffee and Emerald Coast Wine and Spirits.

Pro Arte Chorale

The Pro Arte Chorale of Northwest Florida presents “Both Sides of the Pond” at 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at The Community Church, 3524 U.S. 98 West in Santa Rosa Beach. The concert is free and open to the public, with a $10 donation suggested at the door.

SWHS information session

South Walton High School will hold an information session for current

eighth grade students and their parents at 6 p.m. Feb. 28. School administrators, teachers and coaches will give insight into the school’s academic programs, preparation for college, athletics, clubs and more. Call 622-5020. 

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.

Tax help

Free tax preparation for those whose incomes are $50,000 or less will be available at Northwest Florida State College Chautauqua Center from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays. JobsPlus and Northwest Florida State College in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, will have appointments available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays in DeFuniak Springs. Bring valid photo identifications and Social Security cards, 2009 tax return if available, W-2 forms, and Forms 1099 and other income and expenses if necessary. Call 850-892-8668, ext. 215 or e-mail waltonfreetaxprep@gmail.com.

Prime Time programs

Benjamin Sung, visiting artist with the Escape to Create arts residency program, will perform on the violin when 

Coastal Branch Library’s Prime Time meets at 10 a.m. March 2 at 437 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-2809. 

•March 9: Dr. Alfred Paul will present a program on Romania.

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. 

Free pancakes at IHOP

In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 1 in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Donations made at IHOPs in the Destin area will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s programs at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society presents the following events:

•March 3: “My Six-Year Search for the Ivory- billed Woodpecker.”  James R Hill III, ornithologist in association with the Cornell department of Ornithology and Auburn University, will share his unique and fascinating story of searching the Choctawhatchee River for IBW’s at 7 p.m. at NWF State College, Niceville, in the Learning Resource Center, Room 128. Socializing, refreshments and conservation topics begin at 6:30 p.m. Call 678-1461.

•March 4: Discover the sights and sounds of nature at night with Audobon Eventures at 5:30 p.m. the first Friday of Sept. Oct., Nov., March, April and May in NIceville. Nonie of Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters will guide Night Walks with focus on ages 4 to 10. Cost $1 per person; members and immediate family free. RSVP at 862-9588.

•March 5: Bird walk in the Niceville area. Meet at Badcock Furniture parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Call 678-1461.

•March 26: Field trip to Fox Hill Property March 26. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Food World, Niceville, and bring lunch. Call 678-1926.

Community Yard Sale

South Walton Montessori Academy's Third Annual Community Yard Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 5 at the SWMA campus, 101 Eden Gardens Road in Santa Rosa Beach. Local artists and vendors will be present. Tables rent for $30. Call 231-5955 or e-mail bethrock@mac.com.

Mardi Gras Dog Parade
The Eighth Annual Mardi Gas Dog Parade will be held at 2 p.m. March 6 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. The streets will be filled with costumed dogs and their humans throwing beads and parade favors. Parade features themed convertibles, small floats, golf carts, bicycles, and decorated and Mardi Gras music. Proceeds benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade

The Ninth Annual Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade rolls through The Village of Baytowne at 5 p.m. March 8. Floats, golf carts, and pick-up trucks roll down the streets and marchers dressed in their Mardi Gras best shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pie, and other trinkets. The post-parade celebration continues into the night with street performers, “throws” tossed from balconies on Main Street, and parties at various Baytowne establishments.

Seaside Neighborhood School board applications

The Seaside Neighborhood School is accepting applications for its governing Board of Directors who serve a three-year term on a volunteer basis. Resumes should be mailed to the school at PO Box 4610, Santa Rosa Beach, FL  32459, or brought to the school at 10 Smolian Circle in Seaside. Deadline is March 11. New members will be elected at the April meeting. Call 231-0396.

The Princess & Pirate Ball

Shelter House will host The Princess & Pirate Ball from 5 to 8 p.m. March 12 at Linkside Center at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. Bring the whole family and enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, treasure hunts, character pictures and costumer contests for the children. Tickets for a family of four are $99; adults are $50; and children are $20. Tickets will be an extra $10 at the door. Call 243-1201.

St. Patrick’s Parade

The Fourth Annual 30-A St. Patrick's Parade begins at 3 p.m. March 12 on Scenic 300-A near Gulf Trace. The parade heads west, ending at Gulf Place. point. After the parade, face painting, Irish dancers, music and entertainment will take place from 4 to 6 p.m.

Wild Game Dinner

Point Washington United Methodist Church, 1290 N. County Hwy. 395 in Santa Rosa Beach, will host a Wild Game Dinner at 6 p.m. March 12. Cost is $20. Call 231-4928 or e-mail ptumc@embarqmail.com. 

History Fair

Walton County Heritage Association will host its next Walton County History Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 12 at 1140 Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs. All organizations and individuals who have a history in Walton County are invited to participate. For information on exhibiting, call 951-2127. All exhibitors will receive two admission passes. The application form is also available at www.WaltonCountyHeritage.org.

Snowbird Sock Hop
The Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a Snowbird Appreciation Sock Hop from 6 to 10 p.m. March 13 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Dress in 50’s attire and participate in the costume contest. Tickets, $7.50/advance and $10/door, are on sell at the Convention Center and includes light refreshments, an entry to win door prizes, and a bag full of goodies and coupons. Visit www.EmeraldCoastFl.com or call 609-3800.  

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College annual meeting and installation of advisory committee members will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 14 onboard the Solaris at Baytowne Marina, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Board at 5 p.m. There is no cost, and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Cash bar available. Dress: Business casual. RSVP by March 7 at CBA@nwfsc.edu or 200-4160.

Cooking school

Culinary expert Michelle Roberts will demonstrate 10 new recipes during the 17th Annual WZEP Taste of Home Cooking School show at 6:30 p.m. March 15 at Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs. Doors open at 4:30. Tickets are $10 and include a gift bag. Tickets are available at WZEP radio station in DeFuniak Springs, by mail or online at www.wzep1460.com.

Spring Concert Series

Seaside presents free concerts at 6 p.m. in the Amphitheater in Central Square on Scenic Hwy. 30-A. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Call 428-0825.

Performers include:

•March 16: Jacob Jeffries

•March 23: Elise Davis

•March 30: Matthew Mayfield

•April 6: Heritage

•April 13: Josh Hoge

St. Paddy's Day Delight
Celebrate the luck of the Irish with entertainment and merchant specials March 17 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Florida: Then and Now lecture series

Dr. Fritz Davis, professor of history at FSU, will speak at 7 p.m. March 17 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. For information, call 678-5484 or e-mail pamsmith2@cox.net.

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:

•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.

Elise Davis

Twenty-two year old Elise Davis is touring with her band and will make the following appearances:

•March 20: Harry T’s in Destin, 9 p.m.

•March 22: Sundog Records in Seaside in-store performance at 3 p.m.

•March 23: Seaside Spring Concert Series, 6 p.m.

•March 26: Harbor Docks in Destin, 9 p.m.

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.

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.

Turtle Fest

Turtle Watch and The South Walton Community Council are seeking selected “ocean themed” artists for Turtle Fest to be held from 1 to 6 p.m. April 30 on the Gulf Place amphitheater. The cost is $50 per booth. E-mail gulfplaceeventscoord@gmail.com.

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra presents the season finale, “Prayer, Beauty and Strength”, April 30. Featured are 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. 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. 

Seaside Neighborhood School
Registration for the Seaside Neighborhood School, a public charter middle school, has begun. Applications for student
enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year must be completed and submitted with proof of Walton County residency by 3 p.m. May 2 to be entered into the lottery. Applications are available in the school office or through the school
website at www.seasideschool.net. Siblings of current students must also complete an application for enrollment and submit it by May 2. The lottery drawing will take place at the school on May 10.

Little Black Dress Party

The White-Wilson Center for Women’s Imaging has partnered with local organizations to host the second annual Little Black Dress Party and to give away 10 Total Woman’s Health Packages. Package includes screening mammogram, bone density scan, little black dress from Dillard’s, Life Balance package from Success with Desley, massage from It’s All About You Massage and Day Spa, $75 gift card and two tickets to the Little Black Dress Party May 21 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.

To be eligible, you must be a woman, a resident of Okaloosa, Walton or Santa Rosa Counties and 18 years of age by March 31. To register, visit www.fwblittleblackdressparty.com. 

Tickets for the party are $60 and all proceeds will benefit Shelter House, Opportunity Inc. and local chapters of The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Call 863-8204 for tickets, or visit www.fwblittleblackdressparty.com.