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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.

4/24/07:
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.

4/28/07:
The Shepherd's Center of Gainesville presents it's annual Dinner Dance, "Spring Fling" on Saturday, April 28th from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The dance is a Fifties theme with dinner at 5:00 p.m. This event will be held at the Youth Building at the rear of Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 4000 NW 53rd Avenue. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 381-9200.

4/29/07:
The Alachua County Youth Orchestra will present its 37th annual Spring Concert on Sunday, April 29th at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public, and will be held in University Auditorium at the University of Florida.

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.

5/6/07:
The Tree City Quilter's Guild of Gainesville presents "Quilting in the Florida Sunshine," a biennial quilt show on May 5th and 6th beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. This show will feature educational demonstrations, a silent auction, a boutique of hand crafted items for sale and a certified quilt appraiser. This event will be held at the Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel located at 4200 NW 97th Blvd. Admission is $5. For more information, please call 331-6558.

5/11/07-5/27/07
The Gainesville Community Playhouse presents "The Crucible" from May 11th to the 27th. The Vam York Theater is located at 4039 NW 16th Boulevard. Tickets are fifteen dollars and are available at Omni Books. For more information please call 376-4949.

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.

Through 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.

5/19/07:
Santa Fe Community College presents the American Heroes air show on Saturday, May 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event will profile aviation's dynamic role in law enforcement, fire service, communications, homeland security and national defense. The air show and fair will be held at the Northwest Sports Field at Santa Fe Community College. Admission is free and open to the public.

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.

5/26/07
There will be a concert to benefit the Heather and Kira Radcliffe memorial on May 26th at the 1982 Bar. Donations will be collected at the door and there will also be a raffle. The 1982 Bar is located at 919 West University Avenue. For more information please call 284-0889.

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.

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.

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.