Tour Description: Join us for a special behind-the-scenes tour of Salt & Story, a unique independent bookstore and community gathering space. Following the tour, participants will create a hands-on book-themed craft project to take home. Attendees will learn about the inspiration behind the store, how an independent bookstore operates, and the role community-centered businesses play in fostering connection and creativity. A fee of $25 will be collected at the door to cover craft supplies. Please bring the exact amount.

Tour Host Bio: Laura Redmon is the owner of Salt & Story, a local entrepreneur, community magazine publisher, and a passionate advocate for small businesses and meaningful community connections. With a love for storytelling, creativity, and bringing people together, Laura created Salt & Story as a place where readers, makers, and neighbors could gather, learn, and feel inspired. She enjoys hosting engaging events that encourage creativity, conversation, and lifelong learning.

Notes: We will meet at Salt & Story, 1103-B John Sims Parkway, Niceville, FL 32578

Tour Description: Learn practical ways to manage stress in a humorous, interactive class setting. Topics include recognizing symptoms of stress, life stressors, relaxation exercises, altering stress-inducing thoughts, and understanding how passive/assertive/aggressive personal interactions impact stress.

Tour Host Bio: Dr. Richard is a retired clinical and military operations forces psychologist with over 30 years of experience training Olympic/professional/college athletes, civilian police tactical teams, and top-tier specialized military professionals requiring a high level of mental toughness and stress tolerance. He has a PhD and three Master’s degrees. He currently spends his time volunteering with various charitable organizations and training mental skills to local high school varsity athletic teams.

Tour Description: October is Fire Prevention Month. Come join us on this behind the scenes tour as we learn how our first responders provide protection of life, property and the environment from the effects of fires, medical emergencies and hazards with a tour the vehicles and the firehouse. Firefighters will be happy to answer all of your questions. You will depart with a new appreciation and understanding of our local fire station and firefighters.

Tour Host Bio: This Tour is conducted by local firefighters and first responders, providing valuable knowledge and insight on how they do what they do, and how you can help them and help yourself when emergencies arise.

Notes: We will meet at 10:00AM at the Fort Walton Beach Fire Station #6, 5 Hollywood Blvd. NE, Fort Walton Beach.

Tour Description: Ashley Bailey from the Crime Prevention Unit will discuss how AI is used in frauds and scams and ways to prevent being a victim.

Tour Host Bio: Ashley Bailey is the Crime Prevention Manager with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. She has been working for the Sheriff’s Office for over 21 years educating citizens, business owners, and tourists in Okaloosa County. In addition, she started and continues to manage numerous programs and services for residents.

Tour Description: Discover the art and science of pairing wine and cheese in this engaging, guided tasting experience. Participants will sample a curated selection of wines alongside an expertly selected variety of premium cheeses to complement the wine list. A $25 cash fee will be collected at the start of the class.

Tour Host Bio: Jackie Cox is a founder and manager of Wine World. She will use her expertise to guide you through the cheese tasting. Wade Stalwart is the wine sales manager and will guide you through the wine tasting.

Notes: We will meet at Chan’s Wine World, 4424 Commons Drive East, Destin, Florida.

Tour Description: Destin-FWB has the most active artificial reef program in the state having deployed over 500 reefs. Due to lack of natural bottom habitat and coral reefs in the northern Gulf, artificial reefs and structures are put on the sea floor to provide habitat for marine life and provide divers and fishers with known sites. This presentation will discuss the process of deploying artificial reefs and what materials can be used. Information about the SSUS will also be included.

Tour Host Bio: In March 2021, Jessica Valek became the Natural Resources Manager for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources Team where her main focus is running the County’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Nesting Program. She also manages marine debris removal efforts and assists the team with lionfish removal, research and restoration projects, as well as education and outreach efforts.

Tour Description: Frustrated with your computer? Notice how it slows down over time? Wondering why we have to keep buying new devices? It turns out the vast majority of headaches, security issues, tech expenditures, and e-waste are preventable. In this presentation, I'll de-mystify and explain the IT industry in Plain English.  

You'll learn: 

• Why Antivirus software is obsolete
• Why software becomes more complicated every day
• and much more!

This is the only self-defense class offered where you won't break a sweat!

Tour Host Bio: Marc-Anthony Arena is an honors graduate of both McQuaid Jesuit and RIT, and has worked in the computer industry since 2000. His books and podcast explain the industry's scams and scandals, and teach people how to protect themselves, all in Plain English. Many of the heartaches, headaches, and expenditures in this industry are completely preventable!

Tour Description: OTC offers quality post-secondary programs featuring state-of-the-art training facilities and professional industry experienced instructors. CLL tour attendees will take a walking tour on Wednesday, October 28, from 9:00 to 11:00

Tour Host Bio: Tricia Sansom is the Community/Business Liaison for the Okaloosa Technical College.

Notes: We will meet at Okaloosa Technical College, 1976 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.