Calendar

In The Spotlight

Travel lecture, Fri., Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m., Monacan High School, 11501 Smoketree Dr. Trip Jennings, 2007 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year honoree and Richmond native, will discuss his latest expedition to Papua, New Guinea. Jennings traveled to the island with a team of scientists, kayakers and cavers to document the land's pristine water and habitat as well as explore the length of the Pandi River. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 748-1623. Wed., Feb. 27

"Seussical Jr.," 3 p.m., also 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 29, and 1 p.m. on Mar. 1, Chester Middle School, 3900 West Hundred Rd. The drama department will present this musical. Tickets are $5. For tickets or more information, call 768-6145.

Thurs., Feb. 28

Leap Frog, 10-11 a.m., Pocahontas State Park, Nature Center, 10301 State Park Rd. Celebrate leap day and discover all there is to know about this wonderful amphibian. Toads are included, too! Part of the Winter 2008 Little Rangers Program. For children ages 3-5. $3/child or $6/family. Registration required. For more information, call 796-4255.

What is the Texture of Nature?, 10-11 a.m., Rockwood Nature Center, 3401 Courthouse Rd. Examine

the different textures of leaves, bark and more in nature. 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.

Clover Hill Book Discussion Group, 11 a.m.-noon, Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Dr. "The Mephisto Club" by Tess Gerritson will be discussed. For more information, call 739-7335.

Dr. Seuss Birthday celebration, 4-5 p.m. at the Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Dr., and LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd., and 7-8 p.m. at the Midlothian Library, 501 Coalfield Rd. Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday with activities and cake. Also at other branches throughout the county. For information or to register, call your local library or visit www. library.chesterfield.gov.

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. Toastmasters is a nonprofit organization that provides a practical learning program that benefits both experienced professionals and beginning speakers. For more information, visit www.motivators.freetoasthost.com or call Paul, 605-1317.

"Percy Julian: Forgotten Genius," noon and 7 p.m., John Tyler Community College (JTCC), Chester campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Nicholas Student Center. In celebration of Black History Month, the JTCC Chemistry Club presents this NOVA film about Julian, the grandson of slaves, who won worldwide acclaim for his work in organic chemistry and broke the color barrier in American science. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sharon Kim at skim@jtcc.edu or 706-5188.

Fri., Feb. 29

"Virginia Taverns, Ordinaries and Coffee Houses," 7 p.m., Historic 1917 Courthouse, 10011 Iron Bridge Rd. The guest lecturer is Dr. Agnes Evans Fish, author of "Virginia Taverns, Ordinaries and Coffee Houses: 18th-Early 19th Century Entertainment Along the Buckingham Road." Part of the Winter Lecture Series. Free for historical society members, $5 for non-members. For reservations or more information, call 777-9663.

Sat., Mar. 1

March art show, during library hours, Chester Library, 11800 Centre St. "Some Caribbean Scenes," a collection of oil portraits by Richard Leslie, will be on display. Leslie is a member of the Bon Air Artists Association, Portrait Society of America and Petersburg Area Art League. A reception will take place opening day from 3-4:30 p.m., and refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Chesterfield Center for the Arts at Chester Foundation. For more information, call 748- 6314.

Cut Flower Growers Conference, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., L. Douglas Wilder Building, Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Dr. Topics include "What to Grow and How Much to Grow for Your Cut Flower Market," construction and use of unheated greenhouses to produce cut flowers, and the first years in the cut flower business. Sponsored by the VSU Cooperative Extension. Conference fee of $20 per person includes lunch. For more information or to register, call 524-5960 or e-mail agsuite@vsu.edu.

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.

Little Tikes Karate, 10:45-11:45 a.m., Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Rd. Learn honor, respect and integrity through self-defense, physical fitness, balance and discipline. For ages 4-8. Cost is $25. For more information, call David Potter at 275- 5321

Sun., Mar. 2

Kayak Sampler, 8-11 a.m., Manchester YMCA, 7540 Hull Street Rd. Certified instructors will teach the basic safety techniques. For ages 11 and older. Cost is $35. Sponsored by Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call Greg Velzy at 748-1124.

Kite Day, 1-4 p.m., Clover Hill Athletic Complex, 17701 Genito Rd. Bring the entire family for a fun afternoon of kite flying. Bring a kite or make one for free at this event. For more information, call 748-1992.

Mon., Mar. 3

Yoga, 11:40 a.m.-12:40 p.m., weekly through Apr. 14, Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Rd. This course will incorporate easy physical postures, deep relaxation, breathing practices and meditation to reduce stress and improve strength and flexibility. Cost is $15 for the entire course. For more information, call David Potter at 275-5321.

Chesterfield Toastmasters meeting, 6:30- 8 p.m., LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd. Toastmasters International teaches public speaking and leadership skills. For more information, contact Julio Del Corso, 370-6465, or visit www.district66.org.

Meadowdale Book club meeting, 7 p.m., Meadowdale Library, 4003 Cogbill Rd. "The Lady and the Unicorn" by Tracy Chevalier will be discussed. For more information, call 743-4842.

Tues., Mar. 4

Discover Chesterfield: A Walking Club, 9 a.m., Chesterfield County Government Complex Walking Trail, 9501 Government Center Pkwy. (park at the Wagner Building). Join an organized walk led by Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department staff. For adults ages 55 and older. Free. For more information, contact Judy Jones, 751- 4135.

Kreative Kids, 10-11 a.m., weekly through Apr. 22, Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Rd. Children will explore their "kreative" talents with various arts and crafts projects. For children ages 2-6. Cost is $10. For more information, call David Potter at 275-5321.

Midlothian Garden Club monthly meeting, 10:30 a.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 1100 Huguenot Rd. All are welcome. For more information, call Alice Steel, 744-5392.

13th Annual Literary Festival, noon-3 p.m., also Wed., Mar. 5, and Thurs., Mar. 6, John Tyler Community College, Midlothian campus, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy., and Chester campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Poet Ron Smith, author of "Running Again in Hollywood Cemetery" and "Moon Road: Poems 1986-2005" is the featured speaker. Smith will hold readings and student workshops on both campuses. All events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Sandra Via at svia@jtcc.edu or 594- 1486.

History, Folklore and Uses of Herbs, 7 p.m., Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Dr. Master gardener Pat Roble will lead this seminar. Sponsored by the Chesterfield office of the Virginia Cooperative extension. Free and open to the public, but seating is limited. For information or to register, call 751-4401 or e-mail dunkuma@chesterfield.gov.

Tuesday Night Westerns, 7 p.m., LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd. Join hosts Harry Daniel and Tom Wyatt for "The Riding Tornado" with Tim McCoy and "Daredevils of the Red Circle," chapters 5 and 6. Free. For more information, call 276- 7755.

Wed., Mar. 5

Chester Choices Book Club meeting, 10:30 a.m., Chester Library, 11800 Centre St. "On Beauty" by Zadie Smith will be discussed. For more information, call 748-6314.

Healthy Aging seminar, 1-3 p.m., weekly through Apr. 28, Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Rd. This course will explore issues related to healthy aging including nutrition, fitness and fall prevention. Presented by the Chesterfield Partnership for Successful Aging. Free. For more information, call David Potter at 275-5321.

Al-Anon monthly meeting, 7 p.m., main auditorium, Johnston-Willis campus, CJW Medical Center, 1401 Johnston-Willis Dr. A support program for people who have been affected by someone else's drinking. For information, call 330-2000.

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.