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In The Spotlight

Matoaca community meeting, Thurs., Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Evergreen Elementary School cafeteria, 1701 Evergreen E. Pkwy. Matoaca District residents are invited to join Supervisor Marleen Durfee, School Board member Omarh Rajah and Commissioner Wayne Bass during this town hall meeting. For more information, call 768-7400 or 639-8035.

Thurs., Feb. 21

Family Pizza Night, 5-8 p.m., Party Time!, 2916 Oak Lake Blvd. 2 adults, 2 children, 1 large pizza, unlimited fountain drinks and lots of bouncing. Cost is $20. For reservations or more information, call 639-5879.

Storytelling event, 7 p.m., Enon Library, 1801 Enon Church Rd. Storyteller Dylan Pritchett performs the sounds and movements of African and African-American tales. For more information, call 530-3403.

Fri., Feb. 22

Huguenot Trail Rotary Club weekly meeting, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Bottega Bistro, 11400 W. Huguenot Rd. For information, contact Terry Hargrove at 722-9555.

Moonlight hike, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Henricus Visitor Center, 251 Henricus Park Rd. Prowl the trails with a naturalist to experience the Dutch Gap conservation area at night on this easy 2-3 mile hike. Minimum age is 10. Cost is $5/person. Sponsored by the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call Mark Battista at 706-9690.

Sat., Feb. 23

Storytelling event, 10:30 a.m., Central Library, 9501 Lori Rd. See listing for Thurs., Feb. 21. For more information, call 751-4955. Dylan Pritchett will also perform at 1 p.m. at LaPrade Library and 4 p.m. at Bon Air Library. Seat is first-come first-served.

Winter Wonderland Black Tie & Diamond Charity Ball, 7 p.m.-midnight, Cultural Center of India, 6641 Iron Bridge Rd. Join the Junior Federal Women's Club of Chester for its annual event featuring live music from Casper, Massino's Casino, a raffle and a silent auction. Cash bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres. All proceeds benefit local charities. Cost is $60 per person. For tickets or more information, contact tickets@jfwcc.org.

Irish concert, 8 p.m. (doors open 7:15 p.m.), Congregation Or Ami, 9400 Huguenot Rd. Cornerhouse, featuring Cleek Schrey and Sean McComiskey, will perform traditional Irish tunes. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For more information, contact Richmond Folk Music Society, 647-7856, or visit www.richmondfolkmusic.com.

Sun., Feb. 24

Greyhound Meet & Greet, 1-3 p.m., Petco, 13329 Rittenhouse Dr. 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.

Snakes for the Whole Family, 2-3 p.m., Rockwood Nature Center, 3401 Courthouse Rd. Meet and learn about some of the local snakes of Virginia. Part of the Sunday Afternoon in the Park Series. For ages 5 and older. Cost is $5. For more information, call 674-1629.

Tues., Feb. 26

Western Chesterfield Business Alliance monthly meeting, 7:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall, Winfree Memorial Baptist Church, 13617 Midlothian Tnpk. The meeting will focus on the Midlothian District. Supervisor Dan Gecker, Planning Commissioner Ruben Waller and School Board member Patty Carpenter will attend. For more information, e-mail Brett Sheffield at contact@wcba.biz or visit www.wcba.biz.

Reptiles and Amphibians, 10-noon, Pocahontas State Park, Nature Center, 10301 State Park Rd. Discover the similarities and differences between reptiles and amphibians and meet live animals. Part of the Winter 2008 Discovery Programs for Homeschoolers. $2/child or $6/family. Registration required. For more information, call 796-4255.

Read 2 Rover, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Central Library, 9501 Lori Rd. Children are invited to read to a certified therapy dog through Read 2 Rover, a program designed to help children become better readers. The dogs provide comfort and companionship to children who struggle with reading or who simply want to improve their reading. Call 748-1774 or visit www.library.chesterfield.gov for more information.

Tuesday Night Westerns, 7 p.m., LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd. Join hosts Harry Daniel and Tom Wyatt for "The Star Packer" with John Wayne and "Daredevils of the Red Circle," chapters 3 and 4. Free. For more information, call 276-7755.

Chesterfield County School Board meeting, 7 p.m., Public Meeting Room, County Administration Bldg., 10001 Iron Bridge Rd. For more information, call 748-1405.

Wed., Feb. 27

Indoor Soccer Days, 10-11 a.m., weekly through Mar. 26, Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Rd. Individuals 18 and older with disabilities are invited to learn and practice the basics of indoor soccer and other applicable sports. Free. Sponsored by the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call 751-4134.

Get in the Know: Heart Health, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Midlothian Library, 521 Coalfield Rd. In recognition of American Heart Month, a health educator from the Chesterfield County Health Department will provide a wide-ranging discussion on heart health. Free. Refreshments will be served. This program is recommended for adults ages 55 and older. Sponsored by the Friends of Chesterfield County Public Library and the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call 717- 6381.

Opportunities in the Information Technology and Telecommunications Field, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Capital Area Work Force Center, 7333 White Pine Rd. This workshop will focus on current job opportunities in the information technology and telecommunications industry. Presenter Terry Thomas of ECPI will also discuss what licensure and/or certifications are required for different careers in IT. For more information, call 271-8510.

Board of supervisors meeting, 3 p.m., Public Meeting Room, County Administration Bldg., 10001 Iron Bridge Rd.

Backpacking gourmet, 7-9 p.m., Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Rd. Learn to plan, pack and prepare "gourmet" meals for the backcountry. Minimum age is 10. Cost is $11. Sponsored by the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, call Greg Velzy at 748-1124.

Midlothian Library Book Discussion Group, 7:30-8:30 p.m., "History of Love" by Nicole Krauss will be discussed. For more information, call 794-7907.

LOOKING AHEAD…

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.

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, call Paul at 605-1317 or visit www.motivators.freetoasthost.com.

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 Gish, 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.

Travel lecture, 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.

Sat., Mar. 1

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.

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.