Here are a few calendar listings of interest to the community - especially nonprofit, charitable organization events.  Does your event qualify for inclusion*?  Submit  your event here!

H1N1 Vaccinations Available at Okaloosa County Health Dept., 221 Hospital Drive, NE, FWB, and 810 James Lee Blvd., Highway 90E, Crestview. Check their website at www.healthyokaloosa.com for hours and list of those eligible for vaccinations on any given day.  For more info, call 850-833-9240, x 2114.  

Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser ("Kaps for Kids 2010") - Now through 2010.  Offered by Parthenon Healthcare of Fort Walton, 1 LBJ Sr. Drive, FWB).  Offering T-shirts for $12 (Sm, M, LG, XL), $15 (@x & 3X); caps and visors for $12.  $100 of proceeds go directly to Ronald McDonald House.  For more info, contact Tina Davis or Linda Gibson at Parthenon, 863-2066.

The American Red Cross announces Nurse Assistant Training -- a 100+ hour, six-week prep program that will give students the confidence and skills necessary to challenge the Pro-metric Exam to become a certified Nursing Assistant.  Cost of the course is $600 and includes all books and stethoscopes.  Scholarships are available for separating military members and spouses of military members who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan or are scheduled to deploy in the near future.  To register contact Carissa Stanley at 1-800-773-7620 or email stanleyc(at)usa.redcross.org.  Or go to www.yourredcross.org. 

Shelter House presents "Women and Money" economic empowerment classes.  Participants will learn about credit, how to deal with creditors, loans, basic savings and checking accounts, and much more.  Each course is once a week for six weeks.  All classes are open to the public and free or charge.  Call 243-1201 or email info(at)shelterhousenwfl.org to register.  Santa Rosa Beach:  Shelter House Office, 78 Lynn Drive, Wednesdays, May 19 - June 23, 5:30 to 7:00 pm. 

4th Annual Children's Neighborhood Charity Golf Tournament, Friday, March 12, 2010.  Check-in and lunch at 11:00 with a Noon shotgun start.  Fort Walton Beach Golf Club on the Pines Course.  There will be prizes and awards.  All proceeds go to benefit the Children In Crisis Children's Neighborhood.  For more information or to register, call 850-864-4242 or visit www.childrenincrisisfl.org.

Governor Stone Lecture, presented by the Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, Saturday, March 13, at Noon.  Find out about the history of the Governor Stone, an 1877 schooner that is often docked in Fort Walton Beach.  It is now owned and maintained by the non-profit group Friends of the Governor Stone, Inc.  "Gov. Stone: Profiles of an 1877 Schooner."  For more information, contact Programming coordinator Mike Thomin at 833-9595.  The Heritage Park and Cultural Center is located at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway, SE.

Cattle Barons' Ball, benefitting the American Cancer Society.  Saturday, March 13, 6 pm 'til the Cows Come Home.  At Destin Commons.  The 3rd annual Cattle Barons' Ball will be held under tent and the starry skies at Destin Commons on Saturday, March 13, to benefit the American Cancer Society by raising funds for cancer research, advocacy, education, and patient services.  The Cattle Barons' Ball is a high-energy, western themed community event with guests of the Cattle Barons' Ball enjoying tasty vittles from some of the area's leading restaurants, live and silent auctions, gaming, great entertainment by the Modern Eldorados, and dancing till the cows come home.  A limited number of Baron and Rancher table sponsorships are still available and individual tickets.  For further info, contact Diane Maldonado of the American Cancer Society at 850-244-3813, Ext. 3551, or email inquiries to Diane.Maldonado(at)cancer.org. 

Act4Murder FUNdraiser for Emerald Coast Exchange Club.  March 13, 2010.  Ft. Walton Yacht Club, 180 Ferry Road, NE, Fort Walton Beach.  Dinner and a delightful show by Act4Murder.  Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance.  For more information, click here.  More info, call 855-0960.

PAWS on the Throttle, Poker Run to benefit PAWS, Sunday, March 14.  $15 per hand; lots of great prizes, 50/50 drawing; prizes for hands will be based on points; prizes for best and worst hands/ prizes awarded at 3 pm.  Meet at PAWS, 752 Lovejoy Road, FWB, 32548.  Registration begins at 9 am; last bike out 11am; last bike in by 2 pm.  For more information, call 850-244-0196. 

WSRE 100 Hole Golf Marathon Kickoff Party, Tuesday, March 16, from 4 to 6 pm, 790 on the Gulf, 2996 Scenic Highway 98, Destin, FL 32541.  Free and open to the public.  RSVP to mneedle(at)wsre.org or call 850-484-1084 by March 14, 2010. 

"Top 'O the Murder to You."  Univ. of West Florida Spotlight Series and Act4Murder presents a fun, audience-interactive family event.  This murder mystery event is great for all ages with audience participation and humor to help solve the myster.  This event is open and free to the public.  Thursday, March 18, 2010.  NWFSC/UWF Ft. Walton Beach Campus Auditorium, Bld., 8. 

"Taste of the Bayou," a food tasting and charity auction for the benefit of Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services.  Some of the area's finest restaurants will present a sampling of their special delicacies.  The silent auction will feature golf packages, resort vacations, unique artwork, and more.  Friday, March 19, 2010, 5 to 7 pm.  $12 for advance tickets, $15 for tickets at the door.  $5 for children ages 5 to 10.  Location:  Northwest Florida State College, Niceville.  For more information, contact Lynn Stephens at 833-9330. 

7th Annual Purple Passion Gala and Auction to benefit Shelter House.  Saturday, March 20, 7 to 11 pm.  Linside Center, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort.  In addition to dinner and dancing, Jones & Company will perform music, and Shelter House will have a silent and live auction with broad appeal.  Tickets are $75 and may be purchased online at www.shelterhousenwfl.org.  Don't procrastinate!  Price will be $100 at the door.  For more information about the event, please call 850-243-1201 or stop by the administrative offices at 102 Buck Drive in Fort Walton Beach. 

Sinfonia Gulf Coast Gala Event: An Evening in Vintage Hollywood, Tuesday, March 23.  Iconic Big Band Pink Martini, with lead vocalist China Forbet will take center stage at the event at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island.  Table seating is $75 per ticket, located in the front section of the venue, and includes catering from Carrabba's Italian Grill.  Single tickets are also available for #37.50.  The performance begins at 7:30 pm.  Purchase and print your tickets from the convenience of your home or office by clicking www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org or by calling the box office at 269-7129. 

Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee Patriot Dinner, Saturday, March 27, Holiday Inn Resort on Okaloosa Island.  "Honoring our Elected Officials, Starring our Local Candidates."  Donation, $30/person.  For more info or to purchase tickets, contact Amanda Peterson, 240-1335. 

11th Annual Tee-It-Up Fore Kids Golf Tournament, to benefit AMI Kids.  April 2, 2010, Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club.  Registration begins at 10:30; shotgun start at Noon.  Entry fee is $55/pp, includings green fees and cart, drinks, and food.  Contact Joan Hofstad, 850-974-1632.  They are also looking for sponsors; sponsorships available at multiple levels and costs, from $100 and up. 

Community Yard Sale to benefit PAWS.  Saturday, April 3.  More information, call 850-244-0196.

Recycling Products for Sale, April 17, 9 am to 3 pm.  Okaloosa County Recycling Office, in conjunction with Norseman Environmental Products, will be conducting a truckload sale for Earth Machine backyard composters ($100 value for only $45) and SYSTERN rain barrels ($120 value for only $55) at a reduced price for local customers.  The first 100 customers will receive a free kitchen container valued at $7.  The County Extension Office and Master Gardeners will be available to provide advice on installation and use of the products.  The event is being held to celebrate Earth Day and National Recycling Month.  Near Uptown Station behind JG Plaza at 99 Eglin Parkway, NE, Fort Walton Beach.  The whole idea is to promote conservation and sustainability at home.  For info, call the Okaloosa Co. Recycling Office at 651-7394 or 689-5772. 

"2010 Arthritis Walk," sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation.  Saturday, April 24, 9 am, at the West Florida Rehabilitation Institute, 8383 North Davis Highway, Pensacola.  A non-competitive 5K or one-mile walk option.  Dogs are welcome.  Teams are forming now and sponsors are being sought.  for more information, please call 850-471-1541 or 800-578-7183. 

"Fire and Earth:  2010 Coastal Pottery Expo," on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 10 am to 4 pm on the grounds of Heritage Park and Cultural Center.  Booth fees for artists are $40 per 10ft by 10 ft. space.  Space is limited.  Artists interested in participating can stop by the Temple Mound Museum or Full Circle Art Gallery in FWB and pick up an application or call to have an application sent to you.  For more information, contact Programming Coordinator Mike Thomin at 850-833-9595. 

"Starting a Business," a workshop offered by the Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida (401 E. Chase Street, Suite 100, Pensacola).  March 17, 2010, from 9 am to Noon.  Attendance fee is $35 for the public and free for students and faculty members of the University of West Florida who present a Nautilus card.  Pre-registration is strongly recommended.  Call to register - 850-473-7830.

"8(a) - What is It? - Do I Qualify?" - a workshop presented by the Florida Small Business Development Center/Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) located at 401 E. Chase Street, Suite 100, Pensacola.  Thursday, March 18, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.  This workshop explains the program, qualifications, application process and benefits for 8(a).  Bring your lunch and learn.  The workshop is FREE, however, pre-registration is recommended.  To register, call Diane Miller at 850-473-7830.  Visit the PTAC website at www.fptac.org for more information.

Sixth Annual Dining Out for Life on the Emerald Coast, Thursday, April 29.  Sponsored by OASIS.  Participating restaurants from Seagrove Beach to Pensacola will donate a generous percentage of their sales directly to OASIS (Okaloosa AIDS Support & Informational Services, Inc.) to be used to support its mission of preventing HIV infection and providing humanitarian assistance and services to area residents and families affected by  HIV and AIDS.  All diners are eligible to enter a drawing for great prizes donated by area business sponsors.  Participating restaurants and prize sponsors are still being sought and will receive significant promotional benefits.  For information, please visit www.diningoutforlife.com/fwb or contact Paul Tessier at OASIS, 850-314-0950. 

"New Leash on Life" Dog Walk and Adoptathon to benefit PAWS.  May 1.  For more information, contact PAWS at 850-243-1525. 

OASIS Charity Golf Classic at FWB Golf Club, the Pines Course.  May 1 and 2.  A two-day, 3-person scramble tournament, with a shotgun start both days at 8:30 am.  Entries are limited to 36 teams, with cash prizes to the top two teams in each of six flights, including at least one senior (over 60) division.  The cost of $600 per three-person team ($675 after April 9) includes two days of golf, continental breakfast both days, and a Saturday night players' reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres and auction.  Proceeds benefit OASIS, a 501(c)(3) and will be used locally for HIV prevention and assistance to those affected by HIV/AIDS.  Reasonably priced sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are still available.  For information, please see the Events Tab at www.facebook.com/aidsoasis or call tournament director Tony Bryant (850-543-5373) or Paul Tessier at OASIS (850-314-0950). 

"Purses with a Purpose," Thursday, May 6, 2010, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, at Destin Commons.  A purse auction fundraiser where new and lightly used designer purses are donated to be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting Shelter House and Ronald McDonald House.  Purse donations may be made at the following locations:  102 Buck Drive, FWB; 78 Lynn Drive, Santa Rosa Beach; Mermaids Boutique in Destin Commons.  For more information about the event, please call Shelter House at 243-1201 or Ronald McDonald House at 797-3885. 

Okaloosa Arts Alliance Family Fun Arts Fest - Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10 am to 6 pm, Henderson Beach State Park.  They are now accepting vendors and silent auction items for the 3rd annual event.  For more information, contact Amy Bay, Exec. Director, at info(at)okaloosaarts.org.

'Little Black Dress Party" to benefit Shelter House, Opportunity, Inc., and local chapters of the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.  Saturday, May 22, 2010, 6 to 10 pm.  Live auction, live band (Deja Vu), Raffle, and Fashion Show presented by Dillard's.  Tickets are $60 each and include heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.  Sponsors are:  White-Wilson Medical Center, Emerald Ladies Journal, Cox, Image printing and Digital Services, Northwest Florida Daily News, Qantum, Emerald Coast Conference Center, and Dillard's.  For more information:  www.white-wilson.com/littleblackdressparty.htm.

"The Wall That Heals," presented by the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.  June 17 - 20, 2010.  C. H. "Bull" Rigdon Fairgrounds, Fort Walton  Beach.  A half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorian in Washington, DC.  This 250-foot long emorial is organized by the Vietnam Veterams Memorian Fund and has been sponsored locally by the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, the Okaloosa county TDC, the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, and other generous sponsors. 

*This listing is provided as a service to members of the Greater FWB Chamber, and inclusion is limited to announcements of a nonprofit/charitable, educational, cultural or community improvement nature.  We reserve the right to select those announcements which best fit those criteria.