Calendar

In The Spotlight

Arts, Education and Entertainment Family Festival, Feb. 16, noon-5 p.m., Hecht's Building, Cloverleaf Mall, 7201 Midlothian Tnpk. Celebrate the 18th Annual Chesterfield County Black History Month. Entertainment includes performances by Tramaine Hawkins, the Tunji Band and Ty-Rone's World. Additional attractions include Chesterfield County Fire, EMS and police displays, health care screenings, games, prizes, a vendor marketplace, free snacks and more. Free. For more information, call 748-1161 or visit www.chesterfield.gov.

Thurs., Feb. 14

What Do Birds Eat?, 10-11 a.m., Rockwood Nature Center, 3401 Courthouse Rd. Learn about different birds and what they like to eat. Part of the Exploring Nature with Small Hands Series for 3-4 year olds. Cost is $4/child. For more information, call Denise Flora at 674-1629.

Free GED testing, 5-9:30 p.m., Chesterfield Technical Center, 10101 Courthouse Rd. The Office of Adult Continuing Education of Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering free GED testing to first-time test takers who are 18 or older. Registration is required. For more information, visit www.chesterfield.k12.va.us or call 768-6140.

"Destiny," 7 p.m., through Feb. 16, Clover Hill High School, 13900 Hull Street Rd. The drama department will perform. Admission is $5. For more information, call 739-6230.

Sweetheart Dance for Seniors, 7-9 p.m., Bensley Community Building, 2909 Drewry's Bluff Rd. Bring your sweetheart or come alone to this evening of dancing and live entertainment provided by Dixieland Marmalade. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $7/per person, and advance registration is required. For more information, or to register, call David Potter at 275-5321.

Motivators Toastmasters, 7:15-8:30 p.m., Chester Library, 11800 Centre St. Develop and improve your communication and leadership skills in a friendly, comfortable environment. For more information, call Paul at 605-1317 or visit www.motivators.freetoasthost.com.

Fri., Feb. 15

Alcoholics Anonymous weekly meeting, 1 p.m., Atrium Conference room, Johnston Willis campus, CJW Medical Center, 1401 Johnston Willis Dr. A program for people who want to stop drinking or need support on the road to recovery. For information, call 330- 2000.

"The Cold War and the U-2 Incident," 7 p.m., Historic 1917 Courthouse, 10011 Iron Bridge Rd. Featured speaker is Gary Powers Jr., founder of the Cold War Museum and Memorial in Fairfax County. Part of the Chesterfield Historical Society's Winter Lecture Series. Free for historical society members, $5 for nonmembers. Reservations are recommended. For more information or reservations, call 777-9663.

Greyhound Meet and Greet, 7-8:30 p.m., PetSmart, 1276 Carmia Way. Find out how you can adopt your own retired greyhound racer. Come talk with the volunteers and meet some hounds during this Meet & Greet held by Greyhound Pets of America's Richmond chapter. For more information, visit www.greyhoundsvirginia.com.

Sat., Feb. 16

Homeownership class, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., New Deliverance Evangelistic Church, 1701 Turner Rd. This class will cover topics including credit issues, personal finances, home inspections and the role of lenders and real estate agents. Sponsored by the Virginia Housing Development Authority. For more information, call Rick Anthony at 276-2390.

Pet adoptions, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., PetSmart, 12264 Chattanooga Plaza (in the Wal-Mart shopping center on Hull Street Road). Adopt a new, furry family member during this adoption event featuring animals from the Chesterfield Animal Shelter. Volunteers from the Chesterfield Humane Society will be on hand to answer questions and assist with adoptions.

Chesterfield Writers' Club monthly meeting, noon, Central Library, 9501 Lori Rd. For more information, visit www.writersclub.us.

"Charlie & the Chocolate Factory," 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., also 2 p.m., Sun., Feb. 17, Chesterfield Children's Theatre, 3600 North St. Tickets are $12/adults, kids free. For more information, call 691-7235 or e-mail chester fieldchildrenstheatre@hotmail.com.

Creature Feature: Beaver Hike and Movie, 5-8 p.m., Pocahontas State Park, Nature Center, 10301 State Park Rd. Grab your flashlights and meet in the Nature Center for a beaver-riffic movie, then enjoy a moderate hike to an active beaver lodge. Dress appropriately for the weather. Recommended for ages 5 and up. For reservations or more information, call 796-4255.

BMW French Wine Dinner, 6-10 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 2341 Winterfield Rd. Enjoy a four-course dinner featuring food and wines from the Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace and Bordeaux regions. Silent and live auctions will benefit "Guiding Eyes for the Blind," a nonprofit charity that provides leader dogs for the blind. Sponsored by the Brandermill, Midlothian, Woodlake Lions Club. Tickets are $35 per person for members and spouses, $40 for nonmembers. For tickets or more information, contact Bruce Johnson at 744-1465.

Sun., Feb. 17

Sweetheart 8K, 7:30 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. start, The Grove Clubhouse, Biggin Pond Rd. This Richmond Road Runners Club (RRRC) Grand Prix event features a scenic course through The Grove subdivision, historic Midlothian Coal Mines Park and surrounding roads and trails. Cost is $10 for RRRC members, $15 for nonmembers. Preregistration is available online at www.rrrc.org. For more information, call Jen Brumfield, 787-4508.

Mon., Feb. 18

Student holiday, no classes today for Chesterfield students. This is a staff development day for Chesterfield County Public Schools.

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