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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!

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 .

06/07/08
Come to the High Springs Farmers Market Melon Fest on Saturday, June 7th from 11am until 3 pm. Watermelon rolling and seed spitting contests will make this event a must! Local favorites Quartermoon and Master of Ceremonies Paul Regensdorf will make it a day to remember. For more information, please contact Sharon Yeago at 386-545-3950.

06/07/08
On Saturday, June 7th Gainesville Area Rowing is having an open house from 3-7pm.We will also be having a free rowing lessons on the water at 3:30 and 5:00 pm. Pre-registration is required for these rowing sessions. Come on out and learn about our middle school, high school, and adult rowing programs. Go to www.gainesvillearearowing.com to view our flier and register for your free rowing lesson. Hope to see you there!

06/09/08-06/13/08
The displaced homemaker program at Santa Fe Community College is offering a free computer class at the downtown center campus to eligible participants. The class will be held from June 9th through the 13th and will cover email, internet and job search. Call 352-395-5047 for information.

06/14/08
The Dog Days of Summer Pet show will be held on Saturday, June 14th at 9 am at Belleview City Hall. For more information please call 352-307-2511.

07/04/08 - 07/05/08
It is time to get out your red, white and blue everything and get ready for the 3rd Annual Picnic in the Park and Fireworks in Historic High Springs. This year our "4th on the 5th of July" event is expanding to include vendors of all types. We are seeking, food vendors, craft, art, pottery, jewelry, produce/farmers, home-made, hand-made, unique and unusual vendors for this years picnic in the park and fireworks. We are also seeking Apple Pie bakers for the annual Apple Pie Baking Contest. If you (or someone you know) would like to participate you can download an application from our website at www.highspringsmainstreet.com. Send your completed registration form and fee to: High Springs Main Street Project - PO Box 1898 - High Springs, FL 32655. Commercial vendors will need to submit a certificate of insurance naming the High Springs Youth Services / Community Development Corporation - PO Box 1898 - High Springs, FL 32655 - as additional insureds. Contact Constance Heuss for any additional information at 386.462.5070 or email clheuss@mac.com

07/09/08-07/12/08
The Alachua Curch of Christ invites you to join them for Vacation Bible School on July 7th through July 12th from 7-8:30 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 10:00 am through 1:00 pm on Saturday. If you would like more information, call 386-462-3326 or email infor@alachuachurchofchrist.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.

*High Springs Farmers Market is partnering with Grace Church of the Nazarene of High Springs to sponsor "Heart and Sole" a show collection drive for the residents of San Marcus Arriba, Honduras. During May and June there is will be a collection box in the market booth on Thursdays 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11-3 p.m. For more information, call 386-454-3950.

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.