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Pick up the beat at Midlothian High's Project: Percussion

In The Spotlight

Seventh Annual Project: Percussion, Fri., Apr. 11, 3:15-9 p.m., Midlothian High School, 401 Charter Colony Pkwy. A noncompetitive, educational and fun-filled day of percussion clinics and performances. Featured guest performers include the U.S. Army Drum and Bugle Corps (Old Guard), Virginia Commonwealth University Percussion Ensemble and Longwood University Percussion Ensemble. Middle and high school ensembles and professional clinicians will also perform. Clinics will be from 3:15-6:15 p.m., ensembles will perform from 6:30-9 p.m. The U.S. Army Drum Corps will give a clinic early and also perform near the end. There will be raffles for percussion gear, concessions, a "Fastest Hands" competition and more. Admission is $4. For more information, contact Chris Thomas at ct.music@netscape.com.

Thurs., Apr. 10

 

 

 

Does Water Get Sick?, 10-11 a.m., Rockwood Nature Center, 3401 Courthouse Rd. Discover what water pollution is and if water can be cleaned. 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.

Books & Bites Book Discussion Group, 10:30-11:30 a.m., LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd. "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood" by Alexandra Fuller will be discussed. Call 276-7755 for information.

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 benefitting both experienced professionals and beginning speakers. For more information, call Paul at 605-1317 or visit www.motivators.freetoasthost.com.

"Cinderella," 7 p.m., also at 6 p.m. on Apr. 11 and 7 p.m. on Apr. 12, Providence Middle School, 900 Starlight Ln. Tickets are $6/adults, $4/students. A pre-show dinner is available for purchase on Apr. 11 ($5/adults, $3/children). For more information, call 674- 1355.

Fri., Apr. 11

Craft Closet, 10-11 a.m., Chester Library, 11800 Centre St. Individuals ages 18 and older with disabilities are invited to make a seasonal craft. Cost is $2. Sponsored by the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information or to register, call 751-4134.

James River High School Annual Talent Show, 7 p.m. (silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m.), James River High School theatre, 3700 James River Rd. Enjoy assorted singing, dancing, comedy acts and more. Indulge in New York-style foods such as pizza, hot dogs, ice cream and soft pretzels. All proceeds will go to Comfort Zone Camp, a local camp for children who have recently lost a loved one. Tickets are $7. For more information, call 378-2420.

Second Fridays at the Art Annex Presents: A Silent Auction to Benefit the Harvey Foundation, 7-10 p.m., The Art Annex, 825 Grove Rd., Midlothian. Professional and student art will be featured for sale. Enjoy an evening of art, live music, free drinks and appetizers. For more information, contact Amy Barr at www.artadventuresfun.com.

Sat., Apr. 12

Yard sale, 7 a.m.-noon, Monacan High School, 11501 Smoketree Dr. The Human Ties, a support group for the Humanities Specialty Center, will host a yard sale in the student parking lot. For more information, call 378-2480.

Spring Fling Craft Bazaar & Yard Sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Matoaca High School, 17700 Longhouse Ln. A wide array of local and regional talents, in addition to independent contractors representing favorite brands, will be featured. Adult admission is $1, all children are free. A portion of the proceeds for this event will be shared with the American Cancer Society, the junior class' adopted charity. For more information, call 590-3108.

Campfire 101, 10 a.m., Pocahontas State Park Nature Center, 10301 State Park Rd. This program teaches participants how to build and start a fire quickly, safely and efficiently. Admission is free. Registration required. Parking fee is $5. For more information and to register, call 796-4255.

Basic dog obedience, 10-11 a.m., weekly through May 3, Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Rd. This class will cover several areas of basic dog obedience including positive reinforcement, preventive health care and housebreaking. Cost is $50. For more information, call Mark Pinney at 748-1992.

"Farm Fun for Everyone," 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Montessori Center for the Child, 122 N. Courthouse Rd. Barbecue by A Sharper Palate. Pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, live music. No entry fee, individual price per activity. For more information, call 794- 8661.

Ettrick Celtic Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Ettrick Methodist Parsonage, 21300 Chesterfield Ave. Participants include St. Andrews Legion Pipes and Drums, the first fire truck in Chesterfield County, Native Americans, Civil War and WWII re-enactors, civic groups and historical displays. There will be piping performances, musical entertainment, a doggie parade, a knobby knees contest and vendors. Food will be available from the Ettrick-Matoaca Volunteer Rescue Squad. Free. For more information, call 526-8367.

Celebrate Chesterfield Lecture: "The Battle of Drewry's Bluff," 11 a.m.-noon, Magnolia Grange, 10020 Iron Bridge Rd. Join Richmond National Battlefield Park Ranger Ed Sanders for an insightful look at the pivotal battle of Drewry's Bluff and the importance of this stronghold to the Confederate forces. A reservation for the program is suggested. Free. For more information or to register, call 777-9663.

Fast Pitch Softball Clinic, 1-4 p.m., Midlothian High School, 401 Charter Colony Pkwy. Learn the basic fundamentals of fast pitch. For girls ages 8-15. Conducted by the Midlothian High School Varsity softball team under the direction of Denise Manuel, head coach. Cost is $25. For more information and to register, contact Manuel at 378-2440 or e-mail DeniseManuel@ccpsnet.net.

Sun., Apr. 13

Pet adoptions, noon-3 p.m., PetSmart, 1276 CarMia Way. Adopt a new, furry family member during this adoption event. Sponsored by the Richmond Animal League. For more information, visit www.ral.org.

Mon., Apr. 14

Babysitting training, 6-8 p.m., weekly through Apr. 28, LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd. This American Red Cross-certified class will teach youths ages 11-15 the knowledge and skills to care for infants to schoolaged children. Cost is $65. Sponsored by the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call Jackie Maclin at 748-1123.

Adult Beginner Golf, 6:30-7:30 p.m., weekly through May 5, Windy Hill Sports Complex, 16500 Midlothian Tnpk. Lessons include instruction in grip, stance and swing fundamentals. Clubs available. For ages 15 and older. Sponsored by the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call 794-7193.

Southside Area Mothers of Multiples (SAMOM) monthly meeting, 7 p.m., St. Francis Medical Center, 13710 St. Francis Blvd. For more information, call Brenda at 986-5790 or visit www.samom.com.

Tues., Apr. 15

What Does Nature Look Like?, 10-11:30 a.m., Rockwood Nature Center, 3401 Courthouse Rd. Two-year-olds will expand their vocabularies as they learn to recognize animals in the nature center. Part of the Tuesday Exploration for Two's Series. Cost is $3 per child. A parent or guardian must accompany each child. Sponsored by the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call 674-1629.

Parenting Your Young Adolescent: The Jekyll and Hyde Years, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Falling Creek Middle School, 4724 Hopkins Rd. For the parents of early adolescents, this course will emphasize development, effective communication, conflict resolution and behavior management. Fee is $50. Sponsored by Chesterfield County Prevention Services. For more information, call Lee Archard, 717- 6404.

Planning commission monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Rd. For information, call 748-1050.

Wed., Apr. 16

Midlothian Library Classics and Award Winners Book Discussion Group, 10:30- 11:30 a.m., Midlothian Library, 521 Coalfield Rd. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck will be discussed. For more information, call 794-7907.

Healthy Cooking, 1-2:15 p.m., Bensley Community Center, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Rd. Mary McFadden of Chesterfield County Cooperative Extension will prepare a healthy meal. Free and open to the public. For more information or to register, call 768-7878 or 751-4135.

LOOKING AHEAD… Thurs., Apr. 17

Kindergarten registration, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., at all elementary schools. A child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 30 to attend kindergarten for the 2008-09 school year. Parents should register at the school their child is zoned to attend. To determine which school to go to, parents may call 748-1666 or visit www.chesterfield.k12.va.us, click on "Schools" and then "School Look-up Feature."

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.