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* Haven Hospice has several support programs that meet at various times during the month. For specific program information and to register, please call (352) 692-5100 or 1-800-727-1889.
- Families Sharing in Grief and Hope (second Monday of each month)
- A Group for All Grievers (Wednesdays, April 11 - May 16)
- Remembering the Loss of Your Baby (first Thursday of each month)
- Finding Your Way After the Loss of a Spouse (Thursdays, April 12 - May 17)
- Remembering Mom (Tuesdays, April 17 - May 22)

* Through May 31st:
Keep Alachua County Beautiful's 2007 Great American Cleanup runs from March 1st through May 31st. The Great American Cleanup allows participants to work hand in hand with state, city and county staff. Volunteers are invited to design their own project or call KACB for project ideas. Keep Alachua County Beautiful is a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life in Alachua County. Activities are held throughout the year in order to prevent and control litter, improve solid waste management and beautify the community. For more information, please call 371-9444.

4/13/07:
The Perfect Gift in Haile Village is hosting a Wine Tasting on Friday, April 13th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to benefit Gainesville Area Rowing, our local non-profit youth rowing program. 100 percent of the admission price and 10 percent of sales that evening will go towards the purchase of a new boat for the team.

4/14/07:
Haven Hospice presents their third annual "ViVA 2007: A Bayou Bash" on Saturday, April 14th at the Rembert Farm in Alachua, Florida. Activities begin at 6 p.m. and include live music, dancing, Cajun cuisine, and auctions of celebrity-decorated Gator art. All proceeds from ViVA 2007 support patient care and the many programs provided by Haven Hospice. Reservations and tickets are required by calling 271-4662.

4/14/07:
Shady Oak Butterfly Farm presents its Spring Butterfly Festival on Saturday, April 14th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a native butterfly exhibit, various classes, plant swaps, vendors, door prizes and more. Shady Oak Butterfly Farm is located at 12876 SW CR 231 in Brooker, Florida. For more information, please call (352) 485-2458.

4/14/07:
The High Springs Farmers Market kicks off its Seasonal Saturday Market with the First Annual "Mutts and Pups" Dog Show on Saturday, April 14th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This event will take place in James Paul Park in downtown historic High Springs. Pet registration is open until 10:30 a.m. for many categories including most unusual, best tricks, and owner-pet look-a-like. In addition, the High Springs Farmers Market will be open with produce and plants, baked goods, honey and other treats. For more information about the Mutts and Pups Dog Show, please call 386-454-3346.

4/14/07-4/15/07:
The Heart of Florida Air Show will be held at the Gainesville Airport on Saturday and Sunday, April 14th and 15th. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. both days. There will be military and aerobatic flying thrills, as well as many planes on the ground to view up close. For more information, please call 374-6772.

4/15/07:
Come to the fifth annual Alachua Spring Festival on Sunday, April 15th beginning at 11:00 a.m. There will be food, arts and crafts, music, yard sales and the Farmers Market all on Main Street in Downtown Alachua. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (352) 682-4345.

4/15/07:
Gainesville's annual Yom Hashoah Program will be observed on Sunday, April 15th at 7:00 p.m. This program commemorates the international Holocaust Remembrance Day and will be held at the Congregation B'nai Israel, located at 3830 NW 16th Boulevard. For more information, please call 331-4807.

4/17/07:
Haven Hospice is looking for registered nurses, LPNs, CNAs and RN hospital liaisons that want to join the Haven Hospice Commitment to Caring. To learn more about these and other jobs, come to their Job Fair and Open House on Tuesday, April 17th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center. For more information, please call Haven Hospice at 1-800-727-1889.

4/18/07-5/13/07:
The Hippodrome State Theatre Presents "The Memory of Water" from April 18th to May 13th. For show times and ticket information, please call 375-HIPP or visit www.thehipp.org.

4/18/07:
Alachua County Schools presents "Kindergarten Round-Up" on Wednesday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m. at local area elementary schools. Come register your child for kindergarten at your zoned school. Please be sure to bring all necessary documents. For more information or to determine your zoned school, please call 955-7700.

4/20/07:
The Rotary Club of Ocala and Childhood Development Services, Incorporated present a golf tournament fundraiser on Friday, April 20th at the Silver Springs Shores Golf and Country Club in Ocala. Proceeds from this event will help Genesis House, a shelter for foster children which opened earlier this year. Cost per player is $85. For more information, please call (352) 622-5126.

4/20/07 deadline:
The Florida Museum of Natural History is looking for Junior Volunteers. The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. For students ages 12 to 17 interested in working as Junior Volunteers during the summer, applications will be available starting March 1st at the museum front desk. Applications are due April 20th. For more information, please call 846-2000, extension 210.

4/20/07-4/21/07:
The Covenant Presbyterian Church Annual Yard Sale will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 20th and 21st beginning at 8:00 a.m. each day. Items for sale include household goods, kitchenware, clothing, toys, sporting goods, tools, and more. Covenant Presbyterian Church is located at 1001 NW 98th Street in Gainesville. For more information, please call 332-0400.

4/21/07:
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park will host its Prairie Rim Ramble on April 21st in celebration of Earth Day. Participants will follow in the footsteps of noted naturalist and artist William Bartram on this guided hike of the north rim of Paynes Prairie. Along the way visitors will enjoy wildlife viewing, bird and butterfly watching and sweeping views of the freshwater marsh. The 3.5 mile moderate hike takes approximately three hours. There is a 20 person limit for this event. For reservations, please call the Visitor Center at (352) 466-4100.

4/21/07:
In honor of Earth Day 2007, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Friends of the Prairie, Alachua County Watershed Action volunteers and others will combine forces to clean Sweetwater Branch on April 21st beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the La Chua Trail entrance. This creek flows through downtown Gainesville as it makes its way to the wetlands of Paynes Prairie and ultimately Alachua Sink and the Florida Aquifer. Trash bags, gloves and water will be provided. Reservations are required by e-mailing JulieAnne Tabone, Park Services Specialist, at JulieAnne.Tabone@dep.state.fl.us.

4/21/07-4/25/07:
The annual Friends of the Library book sale will be held from April 21st to 25th. This gigantic sale includes thousands of books, magazines, puzzles and games, CDs, records, tapes, comic books, art prints and computer software. Friends of the Library is located at 430 North Main Street. The sale begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 21st. Bring your own bags and boxes to fill up! For more information, please call 375-1676.

4/22/07:
Sustainable Santa Fe presents a "Party for the Planet" on Sunday, April 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo. This event will feature family-oriented Earth Day activities and free tours of the zoo. For more information, please call 395-5604.

4/23/07:
Children's Medical Services will host "Youth in Transition 2007: Growing Up and Moving On" on Monday, April 23rd at the Best Western Gateway Grand from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Learn more about preparing to enter the work force, continuing your education and making the change to adult healthcare. The conference is free, but registration is required. For more information please contact Pat Smith at (352) 334-1400.

4/24/07:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be hosting "Cyber-Security Awareness for Everyone," a free, half-day seminar on safe computing on April 24th at the University of Florida Reitz Union. This free seminar is designed to teach the everyday computer user ways to guard their identity, finances and other sensitive data. This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please visit www.secureflorida.org.

4/27, 4/28, 5/4, 5/5:
The Performing Arts Center at P.K. Yonge presents "Les Miserables" on April 27th and 28th and May 4th and 5th. The production will feature an award-winning cast, an 18-piece professional orchestra, revolving stage and state-of-the-art lights and sound. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. For show times and ticket information, please call 392-1554, extension 260.

4/28/07:
Celebrate Arbor Day 2007 on Saturday, April 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the Discovery Science & Outdoor Center. There will be activities for all ages and fun for the entire family. Activities include tree planting and care demonstrations, live music, guest speakers, a tree scavenger hunt, nature crafts for kids, and more. This is a free event. For more information, please call (352) 401-3900.

4/28/07:
Enjoy an evening of enchantment at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center when STOP Children's Cancer, Inc. presents their 19th Annual Fantasy Event, "Far East Fantasy," on Saturday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. There will be exotic cuisine, live music and a silent auction featuring items donated by Gainesville's finest merchants. One lucky guest will win the grand prize, a diamond necklace valued at $15,000. Tickets are $150 per person. Corporate tables are available. For more information, please call 377-2622 or visit www.StopChildrensCancer.org.

4/28/07:
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors presents the 4th Annual Charity Bass Fishing Tournament on Saturday, April 28th. This event raises funds for Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center in Palatka. The contest is open to two-person fishing teams with a first place payback of $2,500. For registration information, please contact Terri Ellis at (386) 325-2965 or Glenn East at (904) 394-9494, ext. 1209.

4/29/07:
The Windsor Orchid Society will hold a meeting on Sunday April 29th at 1:30 p.m. at the St. Clair College, Room 192A. Michigan State professor Rob Halgren will speak about growing Lady Slipper Orchids. Visitors and new members are welcome to attend.

5/4/07 Deadline:
Haven Hospice is now accepting applications for its Attic Volunteer Heroes Retail Program. This program, designed with high school and college students in mind, is a seven-week retail-training program. Volunteers will work in the Resale Store, participate in contests and attend talks by retail professionals, and at the program's end will receive a certificate of retail proficiency. Those interested may pick up applications at the Haven Hospice Attic Resale Store, which is located at 300 NW 8th Avenue. Applications will be accepted through May 4. For more information, please call 271-4655.

5/4/07-5/27/07:
The High Springs Community Theater presents Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers" from May 4th to May 27th. Show times are Friday and Saturday 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets prices vary and are available at Omni Books in Gainesville or the Coffee Clutch in High Springs. For more information, please email hsctheater@yahoo.com.

5/4/07-5/5/07:
The cities of Alachua and High Springs have joined forces for Relay for Life's "Luau for a Cure" on May 4th and 5th. This fun-filled overnight event, held at Santa Fe High School, raises money to fight cancer and is designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer in our community. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, please visit www.AlachuaBusiness.com.

5/5/07-5/6/07:
Come to the Gainesville Arts Festival at Oak Hall School on Saturday and Sunday, May 5th and 6th beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. This festival features outstanding area art, photography, pottery and jewelry, entertainment, and food. Oak Hall School is located on SW Tower Road. For more information, please visit www.GainesvilleFineArts.com.

5/6/07:
The Compassion Outreach Center offers a free medical clinic for uninsured children on the first Sunday of each month. The next event will be on May 6th from 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The clinic is contracted through the Department of Health. Children are seen by volunteer doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses for physicals and basic sick visits. All children must be ages 4-18, be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. For more information, please contact Nancy Pfaff at (407) 905-2400 Ext. 2678.

5/12/07:
Join the Alzheimer's Association for "A Ride to Remember" on Saturday, May 12th. This cycling event will begin at Boulware Springs Park in Gainesville at 8:00 a.m. Cyclists can register now by calling the Alzheimer's Association at 372-6266.

5/12/07:
The Windsor Volunteer Fire Department presents their 23rd Annual Windsor Zucchini Festival on May 12th. There will be all types of delicious zucchini and other foods, a magic show, beauty pageant, rides and more from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Windsor Volunteer Fire Department is located at 1401 SE County Road 234 in Gainesville. For more information, please call 372-7814.

5/19/07:
Horses helping People, Inc., or HOPE, will host a Preakness Party on Saturday, May 19th to support equine assisted therapy, a program that enriches the lives and experiences of individuals with disabilities. This fundraiser will be held at the Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. Chris Machen will be the guest speaker as the organization celebrates the role of horses in therapy with many race-themed events, casino-style games, a silent auction and a chance to win up to $25,000 in a horseshoe toss. Tickets are $50 per person and will be on sale beginning March 17th. For more information, please call (352) 284-6464.

5/19/07:
The Alachua County Crisis Center is seeking volunteers to become Crisis Line Counselors. Sixty hours of in-depth training are provided. This is an opportunity to impact the lives of fellow community members and to gain life-enhancing communication skills. The next training class begins Saturday, May 19th. Please contact Ali Martinez at 264-6782 for more information.

5/24/07:
Haven Hospice is holding a Love and Remembrance Memorial on Thursday, May 24th at 6:30 p.m. This memorial is open to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one. Attendees are encouraged to bring pictures and mementos of loved ones that can be placed on the Table of Memories. This event will be held at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center, located at 4200 NW 90th Boulevard. For more information, please call 692-5100.

5/30/07-6/3/07:
Celebrate Yulee Railroad Days throughout North Central Florida from May 30th through June 3rd. These events honor Senator David Levy Yulee and the railroad he built 150 years ago. For a list of events in your community, please visit www.yuleerailroaddays.org.

Various dates and times:

*Santa Fe Community College is offering free classes and workshops to homemakers who have lost their financial support and need to get back into the workforce. For more information on the Displaced Homemaker Program, please call 395-5047.

*St. John's River Community College is offering free G.E.D. prep classes for those interested in obtaining a high school diploma. Classes are offered year-round at several times of the day to accommodate those who work. For more information, please visit their website at SJRCC.edu.

*Haven Hospice provides understanding and support to individuals and families in our community who are faced with loss. They have several programs that meet during the week for all ages learning to cope with grief and the loss of a loved one. Registration is required for each program. For more information or to register, please contact Cheryl Bailey at 692-5100 or 1-800-727-1889.

*Support local farmers by shopping at the High Springs Farmers Market. The market is open every Thursday, rain or shine, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in James Paul Park, behind City Hall on NW 1st Avenue in historic downtown High Springs. For more information, please call (386) 454-3950.

Currently running art exhibits:

* Florida Museum of Natural History presents "Tibet: Mountains and Valleys, Castles and Tents," on display through May 28th. The exhibit is from The Newark Museum's renowned collection of historical and archival treasures of Tibetan culture. In the exhibit, visitors can journey through the mountains of Tibet and witness a community steeped in a rich and ancient past. For more information, please call 846-2000.

* The Harn Museum of Art presents "African Arts of Healing and Divination" from February 20 to June 24. This exhibition includes 72 objects selected to illustrate the broad range of objects used in African divination and healing practices, as well as their extraordinary aesthetic qualities and iconographies. For more information visit www.harn.ufl.edu or call 352.392.9826.

* As part of a campus celebration of African art, the College of Fine Arts' Grinter Gallery presents "In the House: Domestic Arts from the Horn of Africa" from March 5th through August 24th. This exhibition examines the evolution of the distinctive stylistic traditions that appear both in secular and religious arts from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. The Grinter Gallery is located in the main lobby of Grinter Hall on the University of Florida campus. For more information, please call 392-0201 extension 229.