Calendar

Operation: Freedom Friends connects military families

In The Spotlight If you're at home while your loved one is a soldier deployed overseas, come make some new friends at Operation: Freedom Friends Meet and Greet on Fri., Dec. 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Brandermill location of Chick-fil-A, 12301 Chattanooga Plaza, Midlothian (near the intersection of Rt. 288 and Hull Street Rd.). Enjoy food, fun and door prizes. For more information, call Cheryl Estes, 314-9756, or Christine King, 350-0520.

Thurs., Nov. 30

Get in the Know: I Been Free Mo'n a Year: Free Black and Slave Women Resources at the Library of Virginia, 10:30 a.m.- noon, LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd. Library of Virginia research archivist Derek Gray will show you how to start researching the genealogy of 19thcentury African-American women with an emphasis on resources available at the Library of Virginia. Refreshments will be served. This program is recommended for adults ages 55 and older. Call 276-7755 for more information. Sponsored by the Friends of Chesterfield County Public Library and the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department.

Oklahoma! Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 7 p.m. nightly. Presented by Chesterfield's Specialty Center for the Visual and Performing Arts at Thomas Dale High School, 3626 W. Hundred Road, Chester. Tickets are $6 at the door.

Under Milk Wood, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. nightly, Midlothian High School, 401 Charter Colony Parkway. This Dylan Thomas play is directed by Katherine A. Baugher and Roman McAchren. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 378-2440.

Grease! Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. nightly, Cosby High School, 14300 Fox Club Pkwy. Tickets are $6, senior citizens are free. Advance tickets can be picked up at the school by calling 639-8340.

Mon., Dec. 4

Design for Excellence Community Forum for Matoaca District, 7 p.m., Cosby High School, 14300 Fox Club Pkwy. Chesterfield County Public Schools will detail its six-year strategic plan for how the school system will achieve excellence. Registration is not required. A community forum will be held in each district. Dates for other forums will be announced soon.

Tues. Dec. 5

Discover Chesterfield Walking Club, 9 a.m., Pocahontas State Park. Designed to introduce seniors to Chesterfield County parks and greenways and to encourage active lifestyles. Parks and Recreation staff will meet walkers at the main gate entrance off Beach Road. Free. For more information, call Judy Jones at 751-4135.

LOOKING AHEAD...

The March of Dimes is looking for jailbirds to do time behind bars for one hour to help raise money during the Jingle Jail & Bail event on Dec. 6 at Chester Perk from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jail & Bail provides locally well-known personalities, community leaders and citizens the opportunity to "Do Time for the March of Dimes!" While "in jail," "convicts" will call friends, family and co-workers to raise their bail in the form of donations to the March of Dimes. Jailbirds will receive free prizes, and the person who raises the most money will win a free TMX Elmo toy! Anyone interested in participating as a "jailbird" should call Stacey Wilson at 968-4120 by Nov. 30. For information or to make donations, go to www.marchofdimes.com/jailandbail .

Have a special event coming up? Please e-mail your calendar items to calendar@ chesterfieldobserver.com, mail them to P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian VA 23113, or fax them to 744-3269. Please include a contact name and number with your announcements.