Channel your inner polar bear this month with some arctic plunges. Friday, Jan. 1

Polar Bears plunge at Paradise Grill

Be at the Paradise Bar and Grill at 2 p.m. on Pensacola Beach to test your mettle and internal body temperature with the Polar Bear Plunge! Be there as the brave and hardy attempt to brave the clear emerald waters of the Santa Rosa Sound and the temperature drop within the icy depths. Heaping bowls of blackeyed peas wait to warm them. Entry fee benefits the Chamber. No charge to cheer. For more information call the visitor center at 1- 800-635-4803 or call the SRIA at 850-932-2257.

Polar Bears dip at the Flora Bama

Begin the year right! Join the brave and the foolhardy as they seek to start the New Year with a splash! You will be in good company with folks from Alabama and Florida seeking fresh starts. Located at the Flora-Bama Lounge, call 850-492-0611 or visit http://www.florabama. com for more details.

Knights battle for supremacy in a Full Contact Tournament this month on January 22. Ice Skate at Village of Baytowne Wharf

For those with fond memories of the cold and snow, come to the ice skating rink at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Starts the first of the year and lasts until January 31 so get in the winter spirit as you skate and circle around this local holiday hot spot. For more information, call 850-267-8118.

Saturday, Jan. 2

Run with the dogs at this unusual 5K, fun run

Reward your best friend with a run! Any dog with proper decorum, and a lead, is invited to join their human companions in an exciting run on beautiful trails. Expect a one mile fun run for those who would prefer to try something slow. Starting at 8 a.m. at the Escambia County Equestrian Center off of Mobile Highway, register early for a goody bag for humans and pups. For details: 850-479-7320.

Sunday, Jan. 3

Sinfonia Hosts Caroline Goulding

No stranger to the Sinfonia stage, Caroline Goulding, who just last week won first prize in New York City's prestigious Young Concert Artists Competition, returns to Destin to perform the works from her GRAMMYnominated CD at Grace Lutheran Church at 3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 7

RadioLive at Museum of Commerce in Pensacola

Taking place downtown Pensacola at the Museum of Commerce at 6 p.m. is another rendition of RadioLive. Prepare for fun as guest artists Dana & Susan Robinson, Laura Herscovitch, and Cliff Eberhardt look to entertain crowds. For more information call 850- 474-2787 or visit www.wuwf.org.

Saturday, Jan. 9

Pensacola Symphony performs Beethoven

Starting at 8 p.m., come see Beethoven and Blue Jeans at the Saegner Theatre in downtown Pensacola. For more information call 850- 435-2300 or visit www.pensacolasymphony. com.

Tuesday, Jan. 12

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing at Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Judy Blume's classic tale comes to life in this stage production of: Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing. Starts at 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center at Northwest College in Niceville. Peter Hatcher feels like a fourth grade nothing. His little brother, Fudge, steals everyone's attention with his hilarious - but, to Peter, annoying - antics. Whether at home, the dentist's, or the shoe store, everybody notices Fudge. What Fudge does to Peter's pet turtle, however, is the last straw! How will Peter deal with Fudge and prove - to himself and to others - that he really is something? For more details call 850-729-6065.

Snowbird Discount Day at Naval Aviation Museum

Celebrate the migration of our Northern brethren as the National Naval Aviation Museum looks to offer a variety of discounts on different locations in the Museum. Come enjoy the savings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on this Tuesday as others look to capitalize on the fun. For more information call 850- 452-3604 or visit www.navalair. org.

Friday, Jan. 15

Pensacola Civic Center hosts Freestyle Motocross

Defy gravity and expectations as this adrenalinefueled contest as the contestants take their skills to the air. With bated breath, onlookers should be prepared for death defying feats as riders launch their bikes off ramps that shoot them towards the rafters and beyond. The only way to properly experience this spine-tingling sport is from the very edge of your seat as these daredevils fly high overhead. Taking place over two days, from Jan. 15 - 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Pensacola Civic Center, be prepared to be impressed by the mid-air theatrics. For more information call 850-432-0800 or visit www.pensacolaciviccenter.c om.

Lions Club holds Orbie Cummins Annual Charity Doubles Tennis Tournament The Orbie Cummins Annual Charity Doubles Tennis Tournament is a fund raiser for the Sandestin Lions Club named in honor of one of our past District Governors. The tournament is held at the TOPS-L Beach and Racquet Resort in Walton County. The tournament includes a social on Saturday evening and a raffle. TOPS-L Resort is located just to the east of the light for the Sandestin Resort (next to the Ocean Club Restaurant). The resort is on the beach side of Highway 98. Support the Lions Club on this day at 8 a.m. over the course of three days from January 15 to January 17. For more information call 850- 650-5153.

Saturday, Jan. 16

"Seasons Squared" - Sinfonia's "Classical Connections" Series

"Seasons Squared" will kick off the new-year with violin phenom Nicolas Kendall at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Mr. Kendall will perform Vivaldi's classic masterpiece "The Four Seasons" and will offer the Northwest Florida premiere of tango king Astor Piazzolla's "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires." Sinfonia's 2009-2010 Season is presented by Regus Grand Boulevard. For more Sinfonia information, please call 850- 269-7129, or visit on-line at www.Sinfonia- GulfCoast.org.

Saturday, Jan. 16

5k/10/Half-Marathon on Pensacola Beach

Take part in a 5k/10k/Half- Marathon at the Days Inn on Pensacola Beach at 8 a.m. thanks to the running clubs from across the South. Post race activities begin 9:30am at Capt'n Fun Beach Club on the Portofino Boardwalk. You must be 21 . and present a valid identification to possess alcoholic beverages. You must be wearing your race number to be served. For more information call 850-434-0212 or visit pensacolabeach@ pensacolarunnuers. com.

Sunday, Jan. 17

Wine reception benefits Okaloosa Arts Alliance

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance cordially invites you to a Wine & Hors d'oeurves reception at The Magnolia Grill of Fort Walton Beach on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 2 until 4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Okaloosa Arts Alliance. Tom & Peggy Rice, owners of The Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton Beach, are generously hosting the reception. There will be live entertainment and a raffle for a chance to win tickets to multiple local events. There will also be an OAA member information table. For more information contact Amy at info@okaloosaarts.org.

Friday, Jan. 22

Experience The Wedding Singer at NFSC

Do the right thing and experience a blast from the past in The Wedding Singer at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The Wedding Singer tells the story of Robbie Hart, New Jersey's favorite wedding singer. Robbie has a desire to find the right girl and settle down, but when he finds her and she leaves him at the altar, he becomes broken hearted and a wedding planner's worst nightmare. Every wedding he plays is a disaster until a charming waitress named Julia wins his affections. The only trouble is, she is about to be married and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of his lifetime, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever. For ticket information call the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office at 850-729-6000 or visit on-line at www.mattiekellyartscenter. org.

Gulf Coast Full Contact Jousting Tournament Charging Ahead

Watch as knights get Medieval on one another in the Annual Gulf Coast Full Contact Jousting Tournament. Watch as these larger than life armored warriors duke it out for pride and glory, in addition to a Prize Purse. Expect expert level competition from all the corners of the globe with quality entertainment in store, e.g. falconry demonstration and sword fights, with these titans of war. Takes place over three days, beginning January 22, with a traditional elimination tournament at the Escambia County Equestrian Center off of Mobile Hwy and the winner crowned Sunday, January 24. For more information go to the website at http://www.gcrf.us/Jousting _Tournament.html or call 877-429-8462.

Annual Awards & Installation Banquet at Destin Area Chamber of Commerce

The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the successes of 2009 and welcome in 2010 during the Annual Awards & Installation Banquet. Keynote speaker Danny Wuerffel, Heisman Trophy Winner and Founder of Desire Street Ministries, will present Focusing Outward: Living A Balanced Life. The Chamber will present its most prestigious awards and introduce the 2010 Chairman and Board of Directors. The event is black tie optional. The Chairman's Reception will begin at 6 p.m., seating is at 6:45 p.m, and food stations open at 7 p.m. Register by Jan. 15. Takes place at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort; for more information call 850- 837-6241.

"Show Boat" at the Saenger Theatre

Based on Edna Ferber's novel of the same name, "Show Boat" is a story that takes place over 50 years looking into the lives of the Hawks family, their "Show Boat" troupe of actors, and the Cotton Blossom floating theatre. Since its premiere in 1927 at the Ziegfeld Theatre, the music - including such great hits as "Make Believe", Old Man River", and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man"- and a story that is full of romance and intrigue have made it an American Classic. Takes place at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. For more information call 850- 433-6737 or visit http://www.pensacolaopera. com.

Saturday, Jan. 30

15th Annual Cordova Hosted Mall Ball

Come to Cordova Mall and take part in the 15th Annual Mall Ball. Come dressed to impress and cut a rug. For more information concerning the event call 850-416- 4661.