Midlothian Village Day Festival celebrates 25 years
Thurs., Oct. 19

School Board Candidates Forum, 7 p.m., Meadowbrook High School auditorium. Candidates for the Dale District seat on the School Board will detail their plans to county residents and discuss important school issues. For more information, e-mail chesterfieldcandidatesforum@comcast.net .

Sat., Oct. 21

25th Annual Midlothian Village Day Festival and Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Midlothian Middle School. Highlights include a parade sponsored by the South of the James Jaycees, craft fair, games, inflatables, food, entertainment, community booths and a silent auction. All of the proceeds from the festival benefit local charities such as the Richmond Friends of the Homeless, Warren's Hope, the YWCA women's shelters and more. For more information, call Mandy Gambacini at 379-3420 or visit www.midlothianfestival.net .

Little Tikes Karate class, Saturdays through Dec. 9 (excluding Nov. 11, 18 and 25), 10:45-11:45 a.m., Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Rd. Children, ages 4-8, will learn honor, respect and integrity through self-defense, physical fitness, balance and discipline. Instruction based on Grand Master Y.K. Kim's system from Martial Arts World. Course fee: $20 per child. Other martial arts courses available. For more information, call Ronnie Pearson, 275-5321.

In The Spotlight

Chesterfield County libraries offer year-round book discussion groups, story times, and other activities for all ages. Visit www.library.chesterfield.gov for more information.

Mon., Oct. 23

Chesterfield County's Domestic Violence Task Force is offering a training session on domestic violence and substance abuse from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, 7000 Lucy Corr Blvd. The session will focus on how to detect, treat and acquire services for victims of domestic violence in instances of substance abuse. Service providers, professionals and the public are welcome. Free. For more information, call 706-1272.

Tues., Oct. 24

VDOT/DRPT Public Meeting, 5-7 p.m., John Tyler Community College Student Center, Room N102 A and B, 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will provide the public an opportunity to comment about essential rail, public transportation, commuter service, bicycle, pedestrian, and interstate and primary highway projects planned for the Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for fiscal years 2008-2013. For more information, visit www.VirginiaDOT.org .

Chesterfield County School Board, 7 p.m., Public Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 9901 Lori Road. Public hearing on the proposed boundary changes for Bermuda District elementary schools. For more information, visit www.chesterfield.k12.va.us . Wed., Oct. 25

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, 4 p.m., Public Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 9901 Lori Road.

LOOKING AHEAD...

Family Fright Night, Sat., Oct. 28, 4-7 p.m., Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Rd. Bring the entire family out for an evening of music, carnival games, prizes, trick-or-treating, costume contest and more! Admission is free.

Teen Halloween Dance (same location) will follow from 7:30-9:30 p.m., for ages 10- 15. Tickets are $5 per person. Space is limited, so register early. For more information, call David Potter, 275-5321.

Things that Go Bump in the Night, Fri. and Sat., Oct. 27-28, 6-8 p.m. Experience an evening of spellbinding accounts as storytellers present haunting tales in a historical setting at Henricus Historical Park. Bring a blanket and enjoy this evening of old-fashioned family fun. Light refreshments will be served.

Cost: $6/adults, $4/children 12 and under and seniors. Free for Henricus members. Registration deadline: Oct. 23. For more information, call 706-1340.

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.