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05/5/08 - 06/09/08:
Ladies interested in brushing up on their softball game are invited to come out for a "Basic Skills Slowpitch Softball Clinic" at Wrigley Fields Park on Monday nights. The clinic will cover batting, fielding, catching, and basic game play. Clinic will be from 6:30PM-8:00PM starting Monday, May 5th to June 9th.
This is an excellent opportunity to brush up on your skills and get back into the game, at your own pace. To sign up, or for more information contact the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department, (352) 671-8560 or email cathy.norris@marioncountyfl.org

05/13/08 - 06/03/08
The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus is holding auditions for the Chorus from May 13 to June 3, 2008. Auditions will be held on Tuesday evenings, from 5:00 pm to 7:40 p.m. If interested, please contact the Symphony office at (505) 983-3530 for further details and to schedule your audition!

05/16/08:
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 17, 2008. Please contact Ali Martinez at 352/264-6782 or visit http://crisiscentervolunteer.alachuacounty.us for more information.

05/16/08 - 06/01/08:
The Gainesville Community Playhouse at the Vam York Theater presents "See How They Run." The show will run from May 16th through June 1st. The show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m. All tickets are $15 at Omni Books at the Westgate Shopping Center or at the Theater one hour prior to each performance. For more information, call 376-4949.

05/16/08 - 05/17/08:
The 1st Annual "All-Star" Charity Fundraiser will take place at the Alachua Recreation Center in downtown Alachua on May 16 and 17 (Friday evening and Saturday). This event is organized by the biotech and biomed community at the Progress center.
The purpose of the "All-Star" Charity Fundraiser (a Co-Ed Softball Tournament event) is to promote awareness of the various charitable organizations in our community. Please contact Carol Barnard, Public Relations Coordinator for NovaMin Technology, Inc for more information at 386-418-1551 or at cbarnard@novamin.com

05/17/08:
The Master Gardeners of Alachua County will hold their 2008 plant sale on Saturday May 17 from 8 a.m. to Noon at the Alachua County Extension office; located at 2800 NE 39th Ave in Gainesville. There will be a huge selection of plants at amazing prices grown by the Master Gardeners themselves. Master Gardeners are trained by the UF/IFAS and Alachua County and in turn as volunteers assist in a number of community programs. These include elementary school gardens, helping the elderly and the physically challenged, working with youth programs such as 4H and educating the public with the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program. Please bring your own wagon or cart if you have one. For further information, please call the extension office at 352-955-2402

05/17/08:
The Alzheimer's Association is kicking off their 2nd Annual Ride to Remember event. The event will be held Saturday, May 17 2008 at Boulware Springs Park 3500 SE 15th Street in Gainesville. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., the ride begins at 8:00 a.m. Pre-registration fee is $35.00 and the day of registration fee is $40.00. Please contact Rachel Johnson at 352.372.6266 or Rachel.Johnson@alz.org with registration questions.

05/17/08
Southwest United Methodist Church, 2400 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, will have a yard sale on Saturday, May 17th beginning at 8:00 a.m. Please, no early-birds. The sale will be held inside the fellowship hall, so won't be effected by rain.

05/21/08
The Advertising Federation of Gainesville (Ad Fed) will
hold its Advertising Auction & Expo on Wednesday, May 21 at 5:00 p.m. at Tapas 12 West, Steve’s Café. RSVP to Nate Trenteseaux at (352) 377-1338 extension 23. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information, visit www.adfedgainesville.com.

05/22/08:
Haven Hospice hosts a Love and Remembrance Memorial for 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 our Table of Memories. Refreshments will be served.The memorial will be at Haven Hospice E.T. York Hospice Care Center located at 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville. The event will be held May 22 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Nina Powell at (352) 692-5100 or (800) 727-1889.

05/24/08:
Ocala Civic Theatre's backstage tour is back by popular demand. Join the staff and volunteers who work behind the scenes creating those magical designs while they demonstrate techniques used to turn Styro-foam into wood paneling, trees, stone, bricks and more. Everyone is invited to attend. You may just want to look around, or you might be interested in becoming a volunteer. Ocala Civic Theatre is always looking for new folks to join us behind the scenes. Don't miss it on Saturday, May 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. It's free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Ocala Civic Theatre is located at 4337 East Silver Springs Boulevard (East State Road 40) in the Appleton Cultural Center. For additional information, please call the box office at (352) 236-2274.

05/24/08:
NBHA FL08 Barrel Race Benefit Ride for Gilchrist County Animal Shelter is on May 24th. The Exhibitions start at 10 a.m. and the Open Race starts at 1 p.m. at the Trenton FFA Arena. Donations and Raffle items are needed. For more information, call Penny at 352-472-3702, Beckie at 352-538-4433 or Stacey at 352-538-7470.

05/30/08
The Gainesville Gaviatas Synchronized Swim Team, a nonprofit youth organization in Gainesville will be hosting our annual "Synchronized Swim Show" on Fri. May 30, at 6:00 pm at the Spurgeon Pool at Westside Recreation Center. The Show is free, and interested youth swimmers will have a chance to try Synchronized swimming for free after the show. So, bring your swimsuits and try it out!

05/31/08:
The Alachua County Heart Ball Extravaganza is on May 31, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at Hilton U.F. Conference Center. The Alachua Division Heart Ball represents an ideal venue for corporate, medical and philanthropic sponsors to support the educational vital programs and research funding of the American Heart Association while obtaining corporate goodwill and visibility among community leaders in Alachua County. For more information, contact Liz Tzinberg at 352.337.8150 ext. 2177 .

06/06/08 - 06/28/08
Brigadoon, a delightful musical, will be presented Jun 6, 2008 - Jun 28, 2008 at the Orange Park Community Theatre, 2900 Moody Ave in Orange Park, between Bolton and Filmore Streets. Thursday (Jun 12, 19, and 26), Friday, and Saturday performances are at 8:00 PM, and Sunday (Jun 8, 15, and 22) performances are at 3:00 PM. Doors open one hour prior to curtain. All Musical ticket prices are $20.00. For reservations, call (904) 276-2599 or visit our WEB site, www.OPCT.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.

*Join the Talking Gators and become a member of Toast Masters International. Improve your presentation and speaking skills in a fun and encouraging environment. We meet every Tuesday on campus in the Entomology Building, Room 1031, 970 Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL, 32611 at 5:35 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. The meeting is open to everyone who would like to join. Please visit our website at www.TalkingGators.org or email us at info@TalkingGators.org for more information.

*The National Federation of the Blind meet the second Saturday of every month over at Grillmasters, located at 7750 West Newberry Road from 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM. To find out more information about next month's meeting, contact @ 352-373-7806 and ask for Judy.

*Second Thought Improv live at The Marion Theatre. This Troop is a hilarious short form, improv comedy show in the tradition of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" The showtimes are Thursdays at 8 p.m. and Fridays at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The tickets are $10 for adults $7 for students and seniors The newly restored Marion Theatre is located in Downtown Ocala at 50 South Magnolia Ave.

*The Latina Women's League is offering free classes in basic, survival English for 3 months on Saturdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at St. Augustine's Church on University Ave. starting on Feb. 16. All are invited. For further information, call Miryam Braun at 352.367.2410 or email miryam@ufl.edu.

*From March 1st Through May 31st: Keep Alachua County Beautiful's 2008 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 (352)371-9444.

*Volunteers Needed to Drive Cancer Patients on their "Road To Recovery". The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program is stepping up efforts to recruit volunteer drivers. This essential patient service program needs volunteers who are willing to drive patients to their cancer appointments. Trainings, maps, and directions are provided to those who wish to volunteer as drivers. Requirements for volunteering include a good driving record, a valid driver's license, and a vehicle in good working condition. To volunteer as a driver or to request a ride, please call this toll free number: 1-800-ACS-2345 or in Ocala call your local office at 352-629-4727 and dial "0" for the receptionist. In Gainesville call 352-376-6866 and dial "0" for the receptionist. For cancer information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit us online at www.cancer.org.

*The Ocala Civic Theatre presents "The Music Man" opens on Thursday, May 8, and runs through Sunday, June 1. Curtain times are 8:00 p.m. for evening performances and 2:00 p.m. for matinees. The box office will open on April 14 for Flex Pass reservations and exchanges. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on April 28 at $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for full-time students. For information or to make reservations, call (352) 236-2274. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

*Registration for summer camp is now going on at the McGurn Family YMCA. This years theme is "Suvivor". We will have a summer filled with fun games, art&crats, and field trips. We also provide breakfast and a HOT lunch. All children in our program will recieve swimming lessons and a camp t-shirt. We have scholarship and accecpt Early Learing Coalition. Please call 379-9622 for more information.

*The Ocala Civic Theatre presents "Red Riding Hood". The performances of this production of "Red Riding Hood" are scheduled for Friday, June 20, at 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 21, at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Monday, May 19, at $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for full-time students. For additional information or to make reservations, call the Theatre box office at (352) 236-2274. Tickets for this production may also be purchased online at www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

Currently running art exhibits:

*The Florida Museum of Natural History will display "Namibia: The Smile of Africa," a collection of African-inspired works by Gainesville artist Mary Jane Volkmann, April 3- Aug.3. The exhibit includes a number of new and original oil paintings, prints of the artist's work and five issues of postage stamps. Volkmann will discuss the background on the pieces in her exhibit with museum visitors and elaborate on concepts from "Inside Africa" at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7 during a scheduled "Living Exhibit" talk. Admission to "Inside Africa" is $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for Florida residents, seniors age 62 and above and students, and $4 for children ages 3-12. For more information, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu.