MILTON — The Senior Expo and Health Fair is set 8 a.m. to noon March 16 at the Guy Thompson Community Center.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the city of Milton and Woodmen Life will host the event, with Santa Rosa Medical Center’s support, at 5629 Byrom St., Milton.

Free hazardous waste disposal event set

GULF BREEZE — Santa Rosa County will host Household Hazardous Waste Amnesty Day from 8 a.m. to noon on March 18 at the Santa Rosa County South Service Center, 5819 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze.

This event offers residents the opportunity to dispose of HHW at no charge without having to drive to the Central Landfill in Milton. Such items will usually have a warning or cautionary statement on their labels, such as flammable, corrosive, poison or toxic.

Amnesty Day is made possible by Santa Rosa County in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Okaloosa County Environmental Office.

Call 981-7135 for more information.

Fundraiser set for Kayla Crocker's children

PENSACOLA — Cowgirls 4 Community will have a fundraiser for the children of Kayla Crocker, a 28-year-old woman who died from a gunshot wound.

The event, hosted by Southern Oaks Farm, is set 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Attendees can enjoy food, family activities to include a bounce house, face painting, pony rides, a variety of vendors, a silent auction, prizes, live entertainment including the bands Branded X and TBA, and a 5D barrel race. 

Crocker died from a gunshot wound to her head following a home invasion and attack by William Boyette Jr. and his alleged accomplice, Mary Rice. She left behind a 2-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter.

See https://www.facebook.com/events/570917763097897/ for more information.

Seagrass Awareness Celebration returns

GULF BREEZE — You can learn about seagrass, marine creatures that live in it and how to protect the habitat during the 17th annual Seagrass Awareness Celebration.

The event, free to attend, is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 18 at Shoreline Park South in Gulf Breeze.

Family-focused activities feature marine life in touch tanks, seining, games, fishing, marine creatures, marine debris, arts and crafts including making shark tooth necklaces, boating and water safety, kayaking and food vendors. Attendees should bring water, sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and lawn chairs.

Participating organizations include the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, the United States EPA Gulf Ecology Division, Gulf Breeze High School, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Florida Sea Grant, UF-IFAS Master Gardeners, Ocean Hour, Navarre Beach Kayaks and Escambia County Natural Resources.

If you would like to participate in this event by offering an activity or a display, contact Chris Verlinde, UF-IFAS Santa Rosa County Sea Grant extension agent, at 623-3868 or chrismv@ufl.edu.

Mystery dinner theater to benefit seniors center

NAVARRE — The Holley Navarre Seniors Center will soon present its annual mystery dinner theater.

“Honky Tonk Homicide at Bubba’s Bar” is scheduled for Saturday, March 18 at the center, 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane, across from the Navarre Library and just east of Highway 87.

The event begins with a 4:30 p.m. art “show and sale” and four-course barbecue dinner. Dining room doors open at 5 p.m.

Tickets, $20 each, are now on sale at the center. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Limited seating is available.

Contact Margaret Russell, mvrrussell@gmail.com, for more information.

Flora-Bama Beach Run/Walk set for America’s Warriors

Flora-Bama will present a half-marathon or 5K run/walk to aid surviving families of Special Operations forces, from all branches, who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The event is Saturday, March 25 on the beach behind the Flora-Bama. Starting time is 7:30 a.m. for the half-marathon and 9 a.m. for 5K run/walk, with an awards ceremony and after-race party in the tent area. There will be plenty of food, drinks and live entertainment provided by Big Muddy, Jezebel’s Chill’n, & Jay Hawkins Trio.

Entry fees are $65 for the half-marathon and $25 for the 5k run/walk up to March 23. Race registration fees will increase $10 after March 23.

Registration forms are available in the Flora-Bama Gift Shop, florabama.com and active.com.

Special Operations Warrior Foundation ensures financial aid and counseling to families of these fallen heroes along with full scholarship grants to their children.

Email warrior@specialops.org for inquiries or more information regarding donations.

Ciclovia scheduled in Pensacola

PENSACOLA — Some streets will be closed to cars and opened to the public to promote health and community during Ciclovia, set 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. March 25 in downtown Pensacola.

A 5-mile scenic route, east and west from the Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park to Gulf Power on Main Street and Bayfront Parkway and north and south on Palafox Street from Plaza de Luna to Garden Street, will be open for the community to walk, bike, skate, run, dance or just play in a safe, relaxed atmosphere.

Ciclovia, also called Open Streets, started in South America and has since been held worldwide for more than 30 years in more than 400 cities.

Free basic bicycle safety checks are available in advance of the event through participating local bicycle shops.

Florida Master Naturalist Program scheduled

MILTON — The Florida Master Naturalist Program, a hands-on outdoor learning experience for adults, informs and prepares individuals to share information about Florida's natural areas and environmental history.

This three-day class in conservation science is set 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4, 5 and 11 at the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Santa Rosa County Extension Office, 6263 Dogwood Drive.

Attendees will learn about species diversity, measuring biodiversity, processes that generate and maintain biodiversity, types of ecosystem services, ecological processes, habitat fragmentation, effects of human activities on ecosystems, the history of conservation in North America and strategies for conservation planning.

Registration costs $175 and includes field trips, classroom training and materials. Register at www.masternaturalist.org and click on current course offerings.

Registration will close 10 a.m.  March 29

Contact Chris Verlinde, chrismv@ufl.edu or 623-3868, or Rick O'Connor, roc1@ufl.edu or 475-5230, for more information.

Coon Hill Cemetery 5K coming

MILTON — Jay runner Matthew Dobson will coordinate a fundraiser for the preservation and restoration of the Coon Hill cemetery south of Jay.

Coon Hill Day 5K is scheduled for 8 a.m. April 8 at Coon Hill Cemetery on Mineral Springs Road.

Sponsorship amounts range from $50 and $100 to $200. Each sponsor, depending on the amount, will have their business or name included on the back of the race T-shirt.

The course includes dirt, grass and a minimal amount of sand. A half-mile Kid’s Fun Run is planned after the 5K. All post-race amenities (Gatorade, water, fruit and cookies) will be supplied.

See http://dobsonduo.weebly.com to register. Early, $20 registration ends April 3. Day of race registration will be $25.

Contact Living with Purpose at 217-2603 or Matthew Dobson, rmdobson@liberty.edu, for more information.

Garden Club sets Elegant Tea

PACE — The Azalea Garden Club will present an Elegant Tea from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 10 at the Pace Community Center, 5980 Chumuckla Highway, Pace.

Finger foods and desserts will be served; an auction will follow. Required prepaid admission costs $10, and dress is “Sunday best, hats if desired,” a media release states.

Call Jean, 380-2256 or jeanro4@yahoo.com; or Sandra, 623-6321 or shermanacs@aol.com, for details.

Free tax assistance available

MILTON — AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be available at three Santa Rosa County libraries.

Help is available as follows:

Milton Library (through April 13): 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays

Navarre Library (through April 13): 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Gulf Breeze Library (through April 17): 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Patrons are served on a first come, first served basis. See www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries for more details.

Spring Fling organizers seek vendors

PACE — The Pace Band Boosters seek vendors to participate in their Spring Fling during the statewide Flea Across Florida.

Pace United Methodist Church will host the event 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 14 and 15 at 4540 Chumuckla Highway.

Inside spaces cost $50; outside spaces are $25 for the two days.

Email pacebandboosters@gmail.com to register or learn more information.

Artists sought for Navarre Fun Fest poster design contest

NAVARRE — The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce seeks artists to design the official poster for the 33rd Anniversary of the Navarre Fun Fest on Navarre Beach.

The winning artist will receive a $200 cash award and a complimentary high-visibility artist booth at the April 29 event.

Artists should submit their original artwork for consideration no later than March 20.

See www.navarrechamber.com or contact the chamber at 939-3267 for more information.

Snook season reopens for limited time

The recreational harvest season for one of Florida’s premier fish, snook, has re-opened in Florida’s Gulf of Mexico state and adjacent federal waters.

A snook permit is required to keep snook, along with a saltwater fishing license, unless the angler is exempt from the license requirements. Only hook-and-line gear is allowed when targeting or harvesting snook.

The season will remain open through April 30.

Anglers can report their catch on the Snook & Gamefish Foundation’s website, Snookfoundation.org, by clicking on the “Angler Action Program” link.

Sponsors, volunteers wanted for Day of Santa Rosa

MILTON — SAFER Santa Rosa, in partnership with Santa Rosa County, plans to hold its second Day of Service on May 6. Event organizers seek sponsors, projects and volunteers.

Employees, co-workers, friends and family can work together to improve local communities. Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships are available.

Contact Daniel Hahn, 983-4606 or www.santarosa.fl.gov/dayofservice, for more information on this year’s event, to be a sponsor, or to make an in-kind donation.

Emerging artists sought for festival

PENSACOLA — Applications are open for the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival Emerging Artists program.

The program, developed in partnership with Artel Gallery, gives new artists a chance to be a part of the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival and guides them on what is involved with arts festival participation. The GGAF is Nov. 3, 4 and 5 in Seville Square in downtown Pensacola.

Applications are open to artists who are residents of Escambia or Santa Rosa counties and have limited experience participating in arts festivals.

See www.ggaf.org for more information and an application.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Community Briefs