Calendar of Events and Entertainment January 14 - 21

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Saturday, Jan. 14

Workshop

Economical Food Planning & Storage, a living skills workshop with Jeffery and Maggie Bradseth, is scheduled free of charge from 6-7:30 p.m. in the community room at the Coastal Branch Library. Call 267-2809.

Fish fry

The Knights of Columbus, Emerald Coast Council, will host a Fish Fry from 3-7 p.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church, 259 Miramar Beach Dr. in Miramar Beach. Adults are $9, ages 6-12  $4, and children under 5 eat free. All you can eat. Proceeds and donations go to local charities. Call 837-0000.

Songwriters Festival

The third annual 30A Songwriters Festival will be held Jan. 14-15 throughout the Scenic Hwy. 30A in beach neighborhoods, including WaterColor, Seacrest, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Gulf Place, Seagrove and Alys Beach. Early bird weekend passes are on sale for the special price of $100 for a limited time. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  30Asongwritersfestival.com. A complete schedule of events is available at waltonsun.com

Topsail tour

Breakfast with a Ranger at 9 a.m. at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park, or bring your own breakfast.  Call 267-8330.

Art to Wear

Carolyn White, Tennessee fiber artist, will be the guest artist at Newbill Collection By The Sea from 1-4 p.m. White’s trunk show will include a hand-knitted and felted collection of jackets, wraps, scarves, hats and purses. Call 231-4500.

Florida Trail Association

Five-mile hike at 8 a.m. on Eglin near DeFuniak Springs. Eglin recreation permit required.  Call 612-2231.

Sunday, Jan. 15

Bridal Faire

Florida Dream Weddings presents the Ninth Annual Gulf Coast Bridal Faire from 1-5 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Admission is $10/person; children under 5 free. Tickets are available at the event beginning at noon.

Comedy Show

A hilarious digital-age romantic comedy, see the “For Better” Comedy Show at 7:30 p.m. at the Kaleidoscope Theatre, 207 E. 24th St. Adults are $16, military/senior, $15, student, $8 when pre-reserved.

Monday, Jan. 16

Democratic Executive Committee

The Walton County Democratic Executive Committee will meet at 6 p.m. at the Walton County Coastal Branch Library in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 974-2071 or 687-7655.

Storytelling workshop

Coastal Library Storytelling Workshops will be held at 4 p.m. in the community room for elementary age children grades 3 and up. Storyteller Susie Arnold will present the art of storytelling with puppets and props inviting young people to “tell” stories. Call 267-2809 or email tholinda@co.walton.fl.us for more information.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Friendship House

Friendship House, 353 Juniper Lake Road in DeFuniak Springs, will host a meeting at 6 p.m. to explain the Project Together program. A light supper will be served and care will be a available for family members who need different activities and a separate space. To reserve a space, call 892-0565.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Young Republicans

The Emerald Coast Young Republicans inaugural meet-and-greet will take place at 6 p.m. at Johnny O’Quigley’s Ale House, 34940 Emerald Coast Parkway in Destin. The public is invited. Membership in the Young Republicans is open to all registered Republicans residing in Okaloosa or Walton Counties who are between 18 and 40 years old. RSVP to waltonyr@gmail.com or 687-3776.

Republican Women

The Walton Republican Women Federated will meet at 11 a.m. at Carrabba's Italian Grill at Silver Sands Mall. Speaker will be Charlotte Flynt, the outgoing president of WRWF and the 1st VP of Florida Federated Republican Women. Lunch is $18/members and $20/guests. RSVP at 837-5321.

Sean Dietrich

Sean Dietrich and his group play at Christiano's Ristorante on U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-2185.

Thursday, Jan. 19

 ECMS

The Emerald Coast Meditation Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at 480 N. Co. Hwy. 393 in Santa Rosa Beach. “Tapping Into Your Healing Power” is the title of a talk to be given by Colleen Gay of Northfield, Minn. Email nancyjames@embarqmail.com for more information.

Rotary Club of South Walton

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

Thursday thread therapy

Needlers, knitters, crocheters and others come for free therapy from 4-6 p.m. on the porch at Yards N Yarn, 3770 Co. Hwy. 3280 in Freeport. Call 880-6404.

Friday, Jan. 20

Fish Fry

Saint Rita Catholic Church, 137 Moll Drive in Santa Rosa Beach, will host a fish fry from 3-7 p.m. Take out orders available. Adults are $9; children 6-12 are $3.50. Proceeds benefit community service programs including Habitat for Humanity and Saint Vincent De Paul for the poor.

Marie's Bistro

Singer/guitarist Bill Evett performs from 7-11 p.m. Fridays at Marie’s Bistro on 30A in Blue Mountain Beach. DJ Vladi begins DJ-ing dance music and fun at 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; Karaoke takes center stage on Wednesdays; Kelsey Ann performs Thursdays; and Danice Lowery on Tuesdays.

Topsail tour

Learn about the cold-blooded sunbathing creatures, alligators, at 1:30 p.m. at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-8330.

Florida Trail Association

Three-day, two-night, 14-mile backpacking trip at 1 p.m. Jan. 200-22 on Eglin near DeFuniak.  Eglin recreation permit required. Call 826-3605.

Hilda McDonald

Pianist Hilda McDonald plays mellow melodies at 6 p.m. at Christiano’s in Santa Rosa Beach.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Biophilia Center

“Turtle” Bob Walker will present snakes and turtles at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Jan. 21 at the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport.  Standard admission rates apply.

Workshop

Gardening with Heirloom Seeds and Small Spaces, a living skills workshop with Jeffery and Maggie Bradseth, is scheduled free of charge from 6-7:30 p.m. in the community room at the Coastal Branch Library. Call 267-2809.

Mardi Gras Gala

The Second Annual Krewe de Yak Mardi Gras Gala will be held at 7 p.m. at The Shriners’ Club on Hwy. 90 in DeFuniak Springs. Admission is $20 with a non-perishable food item. Proceeds and food items benefit the Muscogee Indian Food Bank. Evening includes a spread of heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar (beer and wine), bead throws, live music by the krewe's own "Yak Attack," door prizes, and a silent auction. Costume/formal/krewe attire is required. Tickets available at 333-3307 or email hinsonchuck@hotmail.com.

Tree Sale/Pancake Breakfast

The Walton County Master Gardeners will hold their annual tree sale from 9 a.m. to noon at the County Fairgrounds in DeFuniak Springs. The 4-H Club youth will host a pancake breakfast from 70-10 a.m. at the Extension Office next door. Cost is $6/ages 15 an over; $3/ages 5-14; and free for 5 and under. Proceeds will provide scholarship opportunities for local high school and college students majoring in agriculture, horticulture and related studies. Call 892-8172.

Grit & Grace

Auditions the 2012 production of Grit & Grace will be held at 4 p.m. at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood in DeFuniak Springs. Performances dates are July 18-21 at Walton High School.

Biophilia Center

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $5/person, $2/children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Seaside Farmers Market

Get your pick of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products, native plants and other unique offerings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Amphitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.