We don't have many valleys, but I'm sure much of our water flows out to sea. We were sloshing in it today, for sure. I saw a couple of near accidents. One would have involved me if the car hadn't pulled over into the other lane quickly. (I'd stopped on Tennessee Street to turn left and the cars behind me stopped suddenly. The car in question was one behind the car behind me. I heard the brakes squeal and saw everything from my side mirror.) It was a close call. I hope all the students heading home or wherever they are going today make it safely.

Spring is definitely in the air. My azaleas are starting to bloom and I've noticed the dogwoods around town are beginning to bud. 

The month of March is known for kite flying and Spring Break (next week for FSU.) It is Women's History month. And, there may even be a little hint of March madness!

If you are looking for something to do, here are some of the events that will be happening in Tallahassee (and the Big Bend area) this week and beyond:
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SPECIAL EVENTS
 
Every Saturday, March through November, from 8am to 2pm, downtown comes alive with live entertainment, food, music, arts and fine crafts from local and regional artists, and book signings and literary chats by authors. The Downtown MarketPlace has become the place for accomplished artisans and musicians to be seen and heard. Local galleries and museums provide free 'hands on' art activities for children. Throughout the season, the Downtown Marketplace plans a smorgasbord of special events to spice up its nine-month schedule of 40 events. This Saturday, March 8, Acoustic Blues performer Brett Wellman returns with his interpretations of Delta and Chicago style guitar blues. The Downtown Marketplace will host the 6th Annual Wildlife Baby Shower for St. Francis Wildlife. Help St. Francis Wildlife celebrate and prepare for their 30th wild baby season! (More info on this below.) "Get Fresh" at the farmers' market - fruits, veggies, plants, cut flowers, as well as New Food Vendors?with delicious baked goods, Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and picnics made while you wait. Meet over four dozen local and regional artisans featuring our local bounty through their talent! There'll be Family & Kids-stuff Art for the budding artists with hands-on activities presented by the downtown Brogan Museum. Share in the excitement! The Brogan will also have information available on their 6th Annual Florida Wine Festival fabulous auction and concert. Adopt a Pet - The Tallahassee - Leon County Animal Service Center will have loving cats and dogs on site, looking for a loving home. The Downtown MarketPlace is located in the heart of downtown (on Park Ave between Monroe & Adams Street, across from the DoubleTree Hotel). Ample free parking is available all along the avenue and throughout downtown. For more info, contact Allen Thompson at 850-224-3252 or visit www.tallahasseedowntown.com.

Yes, it's already baby season again! Orphaned baby birds, bunnies, raccoons, fawns, foxes, and more arrive at St. Francis Wildlife's door every day, March through October! St. Francis will care for more than 1,800 orphans this year! Babies require around-the-clock TLC and huge quantities of special foods! They are gearing up for: 600 orphaned song birds in May and June and another 200 during the summer; 30 baby owls; 40 baby hawks; 15 fawns; 30 raccoons; 150 opossums; 50 bunnies; 12 baby foxes; 12 baby armadillos; 100 baby gray squirrels and another 600 in the fall, plus 50 flying squirrels and fox squirrels; baby river otters, bobcats, beavers, skunks and more! In all, St. Francis Wildlife will rescue, raise and release about 1,200 orphaned babies this spring and summer and another 600 in the fall. This is about half of their total patient load for the year... and this is in addition to all the sick and injured adults they continue to rescue. That is why they are having the 6th ANNUAL WILDLIFE BABY SHOWER, which will be held on Saturday, March 8, from 8am-2pm at the Downtown Marketplace. Learn what to do if you find an orphaned baby bird or animal. Meet magnificent hawks, owls and a kite. Learn how to help wild, orphaned babies. Sign up for volunteer training (volunteers must be 18 and have their own transportation and health insurance). Donate a GIFT CERTIFICATE to Panhandle Pet Supply, 3661 N. Monroe, next to the Lake Jackson Post Office (which is where they buy many of our supplies). Or, take a baby gift from their wish list (at http://www.stfranciswildlife.org/wishlist.html). Here's other ways to help:
• Drop off a baby gift at the Northwood Animal Hospital, with a note "For St. Francis Wildlife, from ________."
• Send a donation to: St. Francis Wildlife Association, P.O. Box 38160, Tall., FL  32315
• Sign up for a volunteer training session. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Dean Humphrey at 627-4151 or deanhumphrey@stfranciswildlife.org.
• If you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, call 386-6296 or take it, day or night, to the Northwood Animal Hospital.
• Learn more at www.stfranciswildlife.org.
• Print and post a Baby Shower flyer (http://www.stfranciswildlife.org/2008BabyShowersm.pdf).
• Share this with all your wildlife-loving friends.

ArtiGras 2008 - Join Southwood Town Center this Saturday, March 8, from 4-9pm, as they celebrate the arts and enjoy the art of living. On the street: stilt walkers, mask decorating, balloonatics, local artists, and Canvas the Clown. On the stage: Capital City Jazz, Young Actors Theatre, MardiGras Parade, Tallahassee Ballet, Tango Sur, and Lion Steel Pan Groove. Also, win a free trip to New Orleans, a Caribbean Cruise, ArtiGras T-Shirts and more! For more information, visit JOE.com or call 866-785-6331.

Here's a great way to start the Tallahassee version of "March Madness!" A bit of Irish soda bread to cleanse the palate and five of the world's finest whiskeys, along with stimulating conviviality and rousing music make up the Tallahassee Irish Society's (TIS) annual Whiskey-Tasting on Sunday, March 9, starting at 5pm. This event will take place at Finnegan's Wake (1122 Thomasville Road in Mid-Town Manor). Don Barry will share a historian's view on the origins of whiskey along with Patrick McCaffrey who will share bits of the lore of Irish Whiskey. Tickets for the Whiskey-Tasting are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and benefits the activities of TIS. For Information and tickets, contact Jack Madden 850-385-3696 or Bruce Moore 850-222-4225.

2008 Red Hills Horse Trials - Beginning on Thursday, March 13 and continuing through Sunday, March 16, this event will take place at Elinor Klapp Phipps Park, Miller Landing Rd. The cost is a $10 Donation Per Adult,  free for Children, and  $20 for 3-Day Pass. Visit www.rhht.org for a daily schedule. For more info, call 850-580-4020.  FSU COLLEGE OF MUSIC EVENTS: Many concerts and most recitals are free, unless noted. Concert dates are subject to change. For updates in the concert schedule, call the College of Music Publicity Office, at 644-4774, 24 hours/day. For ticketing info, call the Ticket Office at 644-6500 or check out this site: http://www.music.fsu.edu/pr/performance-dates.htm .

Concert/Recital Venues:
DRH...Dohnanyi Recital Hall, Housewright Music Building, Copeland Street.
LRH...Lindsay Recital Hall, Kuersteiner Music Building, Copeland Street.
OMH...Opperman Music Hall, Kuersteiner Music Building, Copeland Street.
RDA...Ruby Diamond Auditorium, Wescott Building, near corner of Copeland Street & College Avenue.

Friday, March 7
• Senior Recital - Jennifer C. Hodil, voice; 8:00pm, LRH

aturday, March 8
• Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra; 8:00pm, RDA (For ticket information, please call 224-0461.)

Sunday, March 9
• Tallahassee Symphony Youth Orchestra Winter Concert; 3:00pm, OMH

By the way, you can check out the Seminole's Drum Line performing at the Keith Urban show at the Civic Center last Friday night at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnjLXCt1gXw. I haven't been able to find a better YouTube video of them, so far.) 

Call to Musicians, Singers, Arrangers and Composers

Do you drum? Do you washboard? Working band, THE MAYHAWS, seeks drummer/percussionist to play stripped down kit creatively, finessfully. Triangle, cowbell & vibra-slap a plus. Must be able to play frequent out-of-town Thursday – Sunday gigs, plus a four-week summer tour. Influences include: Patsy, Hank, J. Cash, Carter Family, Louvin Bros, Gram, X, Ramones, Iggy, Townes, Buck, Flaming Groovies, Faces, Who, Kinks, Pretenders, REM, Big Star, Etta, Memphis Minnie, Leadbelly, Emmy Lou, Django, Jimmie Rodgers, Dylan, Steve Earle, Dwight, Peggy, Ella, Bessie, Lucinda, Gillian, Gun Club,Woody, Elizabeth Cotton, Freedy, the Gourds, etc. Contact Sharla June at sharlajune@gmail.com if you are interested.

The volunteer-based community jazz band (Tallahassee's Thursday Night Music Club) is in search of a lead trumpet player (with chops). They rehearse every Thursday from 7-9m. The right person must be willing to attend these rehearsals weekly and should love jazz. If you are interested, please contact them through their website at http://www.thursdaynightmusicclub.com.

Local musician, Bob White, has a great idea to help other musicians - not only those already in the area, but any new ones coming here. He has started a free service - a TALLAHASSEE MUSICIANS DIRECTORY. The purpose for the directory is to make it easier for musicians to hook up with other musicians - those musicians who are looking to form a new band or get into an existing band. Or, to find a replacement for a fellow musician who may have gotten sick at the last moment and is unable to make a gig. To be included in the directory, please send the following info to Bob at drums@embarqmail.com: your name, contact info, instrument(s) that you play, type of music you prefer, name of bands you currently working with, if you do freelancing, etc. Bass and guitar players should note if you play acoustic or electric and if you double on both. You might also want to include any expertise and experience - specialties or areas of emphasis and describe the types of performances and events to be considered for, as well as any restrictions (such as "no weddings"). (He has added a section for songwriters, arrangers and composers, too.) Contact Bob if you would like to request a copy of the directory.
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Call to Artists (in all disciplines)

The Arts have always been a catalyst for change; it's our turn to step up again. The Leon County Commission, led by a leadership team headed by Commissioner Cliff Thaell, has initiated a Climate Action Summit scheduled for the spring of 2008. The mission is to create awareness and promote conservation strategies for governments, businesses, civic groups, neighborhoods, and citizens at large for the purpose of reducing Leon County's contribution to global warming. This one-day summit will likely consist of an opening general session, breakout sessions, a luncheon with a keynote speaker, and possibly a panel discussion. Commissioner Thaell is very interested in artists' participation to create opportunities to communicate the mission. Among the ideas submitted were writing contests, exhibits of some kind and incorporation of music and theatre. The Council on Culture and Arts (COCA) will be collecting your ideas for ways the arts can be a major part of the summit as well as your individual interests in participating. The summit is scheduled for March 28. The sooner they have your input, the more likely it will be to come to fruition. To submit your ideas, send them to clint@cocanet.org.  
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ART & EXHIBITS
 
COCA's First Friday Gallery Hop - Find details about this evening's First Friday (March 7) destinations, fringe sites, and the shuttles which can be easily accessed at www.FirstFridayTallahassee.com.  Also, be sure to check out the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA's) First Friday Gallery Hop Brochure which can be found at all First Friday destination and fringe sites as well as the Tallahassee Convention & Visitors Bureau (106 E. Jefferson Street) and the COCA offices (816 S. ML King Jr Blvd).  

A new art exhibit, Atmosphere: Paintings by Dean Gioia, will open at the ArtPort Gallery on Friday, March 7. Dean Gioia has a reputation for capturing a moment, a moment when the light filters down through the trees, or reflects off the marsh ponds at sunset, or illuminates a deserted oyster bar in the middle of the night. Those moments are our favorite, shared memories of the beautiful landscapes around the Tallahassee area. This collection of twenty Gioia paintings has both some new vistas and some of his more familiar haunts, both pleasant afternoons and star-filled night skies, both quiet canopied roads and pounding surf. All are lovely. The Gallery is open daily, 8am - 11:30 pm and is located inside the Tallahassee Regional Airport. This exhibition is part of the Art in Public Places program sponsored by the City of Tallahassee and the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA) and runs through April 24. For more information contact Leslie Puckett at Council on Culture and Arts, 850-224-2500 or leslie@cocanet.org.

Spring is a wonderful time in Railroad Square. Art is in the air. In March, they'll have their monthly 'First Friday' gallery hop on Friday, March 7, and their monthly 'Second Sunday' event on Sunday, March 9. These are free events and activities occur all around the Square. You'll find details about these and many other artful things at www.railroadsquare.com. Artists @ Work is the theme of the March?Second Sunday event. Twice yearly, Railroad Square celebrates the artists who produce their work in the art park and invite featured artists to join them. It's a fun and educational event, and a chance for community members to meet working artists and learn more about how and why they make the art that they do. Many kinds of art are produced in the Square, from fine craft to fine art. They have metal smiths, sculptors, painters, fiber artists, muralists, woodworkers, folk artists, academic art students and professors. They have the performing arts and 'movement' arts represented, as well. Railroad Square is the quintessential arts district in Tallahassee. 'Artists @ Work' is a free event and parking is free. So, mark your calendar for Sunday, March 9, 1-5pm, and circle the Square to experience all of the wonderful art demonstrations and chances to interact with artists! There will be food vendors and the Renaissance Coffee & Tea Cafe will be open. For more information, call Tana at Humidity Gallery at 222-0380, or E'layne in the Office at 224-1308. Participating galleries and shops (with contact info and particulars) include:

• Simply Artistic Gallery: f602 McDonnell Dr.; 402-0073; Michah@simplyartistic.net - Hosting:  Resident Artist Mike Nowak will set up an easel and paint for viewers, giving pointers and techniques.
• Dennis Galleries: f621 McDonnell Dr., 229/400-8525, www.salesbydennis.com - Hosting:  An auction of antiques & collectibles. Previews: 'First Friday,' 3/7 and 'Second Sunday,' noon. Auction begins at 2:20. Col R.A. McCoy AU1858 AB2038.
 • Really Knit Stuff:  645 McDonnell Dr., 907-3590, reallyknitstuff@aol.com, www.reallyknitstuff.com - Hosting:  Michelle Morris, Peggy Kassees & others demonstrating spinning techniques inside the shop.

 • Whispering Pines Quilt Shoppe:  694-4A Industrial Dr., 509-1237, momruscher@gmail.com - Hosting:  Shop Owners Donna Ruscher and Cynthia Perny will demonstrate quilt piecing and both machine and hand quilting.
• Bali HI Trading Co.:  617 Industrial Dr., 766-7175, aloha@balihi.us , www.balihi-us - Hosting:  Doug Chapman and his 'Water Wood' sculptures; Gertrude Palmer, a multi-talented watercolorist and jewelry artist whose work ranges from wedding portraits, to pleineair landscapes, to abstructs, to Jazz and Blues artists. She will show some her work and do her amazing quick watercolor portraits. Dave Wood, from Panama City, FL, will be painting his local/nautical-themed art in acrylic.
• Artisans Studio:  625-C Industrial Dr., 222-5444, perditaross@yahoo.com - Hosting:  Hands-on art activities for all ages & skill levels.
• Yrabedra Studio:  636 McDonnell Dr., 222-0121, yrabedra@aol.com - Hosting:  The artist demonstrating acrylic painting and gold leaf.
• Studio Quattro:  1023 Commercial Dr., olanquattro@earthlink.net - Hosting:  Olan Quattro and her son, Donato, will demonstrate art work. (Quattro is a collage artist.)
• Thomas Eads Fine Arts:  1034 Commercial Dr., 224-1435, tom@thomaseadsfineart.com, www.thomaseadsfineart.com, www.tomeadsphoto.com - Hosting:  Nature photographer Thomas Eads will demostrate how he makes images on 4" x 5" film using a view camera.  The camera looks old-fashioned: the film holder and lens are mounted on separate boards connected by bellows.  The photographer works under a cloth hood as he composes the image on a ground-glass screen.  Thomas will also show how he digitizes the film image, and does 'lightroom' editing on a computer, and prints archivally onto fine papers or canvas using a large-format printer.  It's amazing.
• The Other Side Vintage:  625-A Industrial Dr., 224-6666, www.TheOtherSideVintage.com, info@TheOtherSideVintage.com - Hosting:  Ron Bork, photography; Courtney Asztalos, photography; Janie Sanders Robers, painting; Mary Allgire, shrines from found objets d'art; Cut Flower Farm, flower art; Black Velvet Irish Band, music.
• 621 Gallery Artist-in-Residence Studio:  621 Industrial Dr., 224-6162, www.621gallery.org - Hosting:  John Wilson, artist-in-residence (contemporary pop art depicting various robots and animals).
• Barbara Psimas Studios:  1006 Commercial Dr., 894-1444, 528-4912, bpsimas@aol.com - Hosting:  Barbara Psimas will demonstrate some of her many styles and media and present works she has produced in her working studio. She is known for her 'Madonna' series as well as her music series, miniature portraits, and works on canvas and wood.
• Depot Agent's Gallery:  565 Industrial Dr., 363-3673, jimmytwoshoes@hotmail.com - Hosting:  Wood artist and gallery owner James Glaser will demonstrate band saw work in the gallery.
• Humidity Gallery:  1019 Commercial Dr., 222-0380, humiditygallery@yahoo.com - Hosting:  Beaded bead-maker and gallery owner Sharri Moroshok will demonstrate her astonishing 'sea anemone' beaded beads. Sharri is a renowned beaded bead maker and pioneer whose work is in high demand all over the world. She teaches some of her processes. Beaded beads are made by using tiny glass and stone beads as 'paint,' and stitching them over larger wooden forms to create textures and patterns.
• Linda Clark Watercolor:  676 Industrial Dr., 386-3171, 224-6161, 566-9258, Linda@LindaClarkWatercolor.com, www.LindaClarkWatercolor.comm - Hosting:  Susan Frisbee, stained glass artist, will be demonstrating the cutting and fitting of stained glass.

The Florida Museum of History will have Seminole People of Florida: Survival and Success on exhibit through June 1. The new exhibit provides a glimpse into Seminole history, culture, and artistic traditions from the mid-1850s to the present. The exhibit catalog will be available in the History Shop for a donation of $5 to offset the cost of printing. Life, Legends and History of the Seminoles is an exhibit that includes works by "The Barefoot Artist," Guy LaBree. The collection of art by Mr. LaBree is presented in conjunction with the new Seminole exhibit. For specific times and any further information, call 850-245-6400. Regular museum hours are: 9am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday; 10am-4:30pm, Saturdays; and noon until 4:30pm, Sundays and holidays. (The Museum is open every 2nd Saturday, from 11am-noon for Family Programs. The Family Craft Hour features a themed hands-on craft for ages 5 to 10 years. The Wee Ones' Story Hour highlights a different story each month for ages 4 and younger. A parent must accompany children. Family Programs are held in the Museum Main Gallery and are free. The Museum is also open every 3rd Thursday evening for tours and special programs until 8pm. A local restaurant caters the food and drinks for $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. The History Shop remains open from 5-8pm. Museum Main Gallery, free.) Guided Highlight Tours of the Museum Main Gallery are offered Monday through Saturday, at 10:30am and 2:30pm and on Sundays at 2:30pm. The guided tour is approximately 20 minutes long. Learn about Florida's role in World War II in the museum's newest permanent exhibition. (The World War II Monument is located in front of the R.A. Gray Bldg.) The Museum, located in the R. A. Gray Building, is at 500 South Bronough Street. For more information about featured events and programs, contact Wanda Richey at 245-6400 or wrichey@dos.state.fl.us or visit http://www.museumoffloridahistory.com.
• Second Saturday Family Programs - On March 8,  the Museum will host Family Programs for ages 5 to 10 years. This month's craft will focus on Seminole culture. A parent must accompany children. Times are 11am-noon.  

Primitive Reflections: Paint, Clay & Glass Artworks by Lawrence Tobé, Marilyn Proctor-Givens & Bob Rubanowice - Three artists coming from different directions create an exhibit that is quite modern, yet connects with primitive archetypal images and feelings. It runs through March 13. The City Hall Art Gallery is located inside City Hall, 300 South Adams Street and is open Monday through Friday, 8am-5:30pm. For more information about this exhibition, upcoming exhibitions, or the Art in Public Places program, contact Leslie Puckett at the Council on Culture & Arts (CoCA) at 850-224-2500 or online at www.cocanet.org.

FOSSILS: Recreating the Paleo-Past - The Brogan Museum has on display replica fossils from the Cretaceous Period. These casts were created from actual fossils found in North America. This collection of four fossil replicas will join the permanent collection and will be displayed on the 1st floor until mid March. The exhibit will offer opportunities for visitors to observe how fossils help us recreate the past and reveal clues about the daily lives of these creatures. The Museum has permanent exhibits on the 2nd floor, which includes: turtles, a coral reef tank, shells, and more in EcoLab; Early Learners, a special area designed for our youngest visitors; Weather Wonders; play with light and color in the Close-Up Classroom; boggle your brain with their latest set of puzzles in Mind Games; build a model of a crane or wishing well or design your own simple machine creation at Exploration Station; and, many more hands-on, minds-on exhibits from their permanent collection. Admission is $3.50 for children (3-17), students (with valid ID), senior citizens (60 and up), and military (with valid ID); and $6 for adults. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Museum admission is free from 4-5pm everyday. Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 1-5pm; and, First Friday's of the Month at 10am-9pm (with 4-9pm free). The Museum is located at 350 South Duval Street. For general questions, please send an e-mail to info@thebrogan.org. Or, visit http://www.thebrogan.org.

Visit FSU's Museum of Fine Art exhibits - Full & Spare: Ceramics in the 21st Century and Straus & Straus: Phyllis Straus and Adam Straus. Both exhibitions will be on display through March 23. Full and Spare: Ceramics in the 21st Century - Take what you know about ceramics and set it aside. Whether up-scale installation art or pedestal-sized discrete objects, artists working in clay in the 21st century are offering a full range of statements, from the personal to the global. Guided by the expertise of studio artists, the Museum of Fines Arts (MoFA) surveys the field of bright newcomers and vigorous professional ceramists for this exhibition, which pairs private symbolism with extroverted excessiveness. Showing simultaneously at the Museum is Straus & Straus, an exhibition of the sculpture of Phyllis Straus and the paintings of her son Adam. The work of Adam Straus appears courtesy of Nora Haime Gallery, New York. Museum hours are Monday - Friday, from 9am-4pm; and 1-4pm on weekends. (Closed Spring Break weekends.) The museum is always FREE for everyone. For more info, call 644-6836.

The Gadsden Arts Center cordially invites the public to the 31st Annual Juried Exhibition of the Southern Watercolor Society. The exhibition is being displayed in all three galleries of the Gadsden Arts Center, located at 13 North Madison in historic downtown Quincy. Founded in 1975, the Southern Watercolor Society is a non-profit organization formed to elevate the stature of watercolor and educate the public to the significance of watercolor as an important creative and permanent painting medium. It is the aim of the organization to further the interest of painters in watercolor/water media by its programs and competitive exhibits, and to encourage the study of watercolor by art students and others engaged in watercolor painting. The Gadsden Arts Center is very pleased to be holding this important exhibition, with artists from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia . The exhibition will be open through March 29. The Center is open to the public from 10am-5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday, from 1-5 pm. Admission is free for Center members and a $1 donation is requested from non-members. Please call 850-875-4866 for more information about this exciting exhibition and the Gadsden Arts Center.

The Tallahassee Museum Phipps Gallery has been temporarily transformed into a collections lab, blending a photo studio and shelves of collections storage with a cataloging workspace. This innovative exhibit, "Curators in Action," will run through Sunday, May 18. During the run, staff, interns, and volunteers will photograph and catalog historical artifacts and natural science specimens in public view, allowing visitors to watch and ask questions. Labels will also provide basic information about these "backstage" museum activities, usually conducted out of sight behind locked doors! For further information, please call 850-575-8684 or visit us online at www.tallahasseemuseum.org.

A visit to Mission San Luis transports you back in time. Your destination is a community where Apalachee Indians and newcomers from Spain live in close proximity, drawn together by religion as well as military and economic purpose. Modern day visitors to Mission San Luis discover a re-created community where time stands still. There they meet the people of San Luis going about the tasks that sustained life centuries ago. They walk the plaza where the Apalachees played their traditional ball games.They visit the most important structure in the Apalachee village, the council house, and also stop at the home of the Spanish Deputy Governor. Visitors are welcomed at the church built under the supervision of Franciscans and at the friary, where they lived. Mission San Luis is a very special place where history comes to life. It is located at 2021 West Mission Road. Admission is free. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm, (and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas). Check the web site for special events and classes at http://www.missionsanluis.org. Or, call 850-487-3711 or send an e-mail to programs@missionsanluis.org.

Call to Artists
 
The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science is looking for donations from local artists for the upcoming 2008 Florida Wine Festival. The artwork will be offered during the silent auction portion of the event. In return for the donation of your artwork you will receive a tax deduction, recognition in promotional materials for the event, as well as recognition from large sponsors and VIPS around Florida. If you are interested or have any further questions, please contact Stacia O'Connor at 850-513-0700 x 233 or send an email to soconnor@thebrogan.org. The deadline is March 20.
 
Artwork to be featured at the Climate Change Summit, which will be held on March 27-28. The Council on Culture and Arts (COCA) will exhibit artwork from local artists that uses recycled, re-used, re-purposed, or found materials. If you would like to be considered for this mini exhibit at the Civic Center during the Summit, please contact Leslie Puckett at COCA, 224-2500 or leslie@cocanet.org.

Donations of handcrafted bowls (pottery, glass, woodwork) are needed for an anti-hunger initiative called "Empty Bowls for ECHO," the Emergency Care Help Organization. The latest show will continue through March 30 at Temple Israel. Another display is planned for April and May at the Color Wheel Gallery. Exhibits have also been lined up for the fall and winter. To learn more, go to www.echotally.org or call Karen Olson at 850-224-3246 x 208.

The Links Gallery, Inc., Tallahassee Chapter, is hosting its inaugural annual art show to raise money to support a mentoring program for economically disadvantaged artistically gifted youth. The event will be held on April 4, at the Capital City Country Club from 6-9:00pm. Artists can participate as a showing artist (there is no participation fee and tables will be provided but not easels); and/or artists can donate items for the silent auction. A donation of 25% of all sales will go toward the art mentoring program. For further information, contact Doby Flowers at 850-681-2303. The deadline is April 3, at 5pm for showing artists; and April 4 for silent auction - up to 5:00pm.

Pyramid Studios is seeking talented visual artists to exhibit their work in a unique and exciting gallery for their upcoming April 4th and June 6th shows. For further information, call 850-513-1733 or email Andrea Thornley at athornley@pyramidinc.org. Also, visit www.pyramidinc.org.

The Havana Art and Music Festival will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 11am-7pm in downtown Havana. Art vendors interested in having a space at the art festival can download an application from the Town of Havana website at http://www.havanaflorida.com/events.aspx. The cost is $35 per booth. Registrations received by April 30 will be given priority. For more information, contact Terri at Light N Up Art Co-op and Studios at 850-539-0006 or email at lightnupartistco@bellsouth.net.  

The FSU International Center Gallery is currently scheduling exhibitions through May 2008. The International Center is located across the street from the Student Life Building on Learning Way. The gallery is a small intimate space located on the first floor lobby of the International Center. If you are interested in scheduling an exhibition, you can contact the gallery manager, Deb Wiedel, at debwiedel@yahoo.com or by phone at 850-980-5594 to set-up an appointment.

Go Green! The Artists' League challenges you to create a new or submit a specific piece of artwork that addresses an environmental issue - any medium. Entry fees are $5 for up to 3 entries or $1 per entry up to 6 entries. Applicant must be an Artists' League member to enter. (You may pay $15 membership fee at time of submission). Take original artwork to the FSU Museum of Fine Arts for jurying. For further information, e-mail Viki Wylder at vwylder@mailer.fsu.edu or call 850-644-1299. The deadline is June 3, from 7-9pm and June 4, from 12-4pm.

Florida Craftsmen's Capital Area has scheduled a fine crafts exhibition in COCA's ArtPort Gallery in the Tallahassee Municipal Airport from January to March 2009. This will be an exhibit for all fine craft (does not include traditional painting or photography) by members of the Florida Craftsmen, Inc. in the panhandle area. If you are not currently a member, you must join before July 1 to be eligible to participate in this exhibition. For information about membership and/or the exhibition process email Steve Fox at sfox59@comcast.net.  

Artists specializing in all types of style and mediums are invited to submit work for exhibiting on a one to two month stint at Simply Artistic Gallery. Submit name, 4 examples, and artist statement to Micah@simplyartistic.net or mail to 602 McDonnell Drive, Tallahassee, FL  32310.  Further questions? Call (850) 402-0073

The Oglesby Gallery is accepting applications for the spring/summer exhibits. This gallery is located at the heart of FSU in the Oglesby Union. The gallery is primarily a student gallery but they allow faculty, staff and friends of the University to show. Local artists are encouraged to apply. All entries will be subject to a panel review. There is no fee to enter and no sales commission. For further information call Bil Myers at 644-4737 or uniongallery@admin.fsu.edu.
 
Humidity Gallery (1019 Commercial Dr., all the way around to the back of Railroad Square) is a new, for-profit fine American craft gallery and is now taking applications from local and Big Bend crafters to display their works on consignment. They are especially looking for works in carved wood, contemporary clay, blacksmithing, original garden art, and innovative handcrafted lighting suitable for a diversified gallery. For more information, please call Tana McLane or Sharri Moroshok at 850-222-0380 or humiditygallery@yahoo.com.

SoHo Gallery (629-B Industrial Drive) in Railroad Square is offering a two-month exhibition with great exposure, free advertising, no commissions, and inclusion in the website. Please apply in person at SoHo on Saturdays 11am - 5pm. There's a $10 application fee. Take them three images, on CD if possible. The exhibiting fee is $125.

All artists with disabilities are invited to join the VSA Arts of Florida Artist Registry, which provides information, resources and publications that address the unique needs of artists with disabilities throughout the State of Florida. Membership is free and open to all Florida artists with disabilities, ages 18 and over. Visit http://www.vsafl.org and click on "Artists Wanted" on the right-hand side of the page or call Jenn Bade at 813-558-5093 to request an application packet.
 
The Council on Culture and Arts (COCA) is planning an exhibition of artwork by local artists that is in local corporate, small business and private collections. If your artwork is in someone's collection and you are interested in having it included in the exhibition, please provide to them the name of the business, the contact person and a brief description of the artwork, including medium and approximate size. They will approach the collectors with the exhibit details. Send your information to Leslie Puckett at leslie@cocanet.org or call 850-224-2500.
 
After relocating to a new larger facility, Light N Up Art Co-op and Studios is happy to announce that it has several opportunities for area artists. They are seeking new co-op members and have several dealer spaces available for rent for those persons who wish to display their art without co-op membership. Also, they have classroom space for various hours/days/activities. If you would like to teach a class, conduct a workshop, rent meeting space, children's party space, etc. perhaps they can meet your needs. Contact Terri or Joy at 850-539-0006 or email lightnupartistco@bellsouth.net or visit www.lightnupartcoop.com.
 
Gallery/Business Opportunity in Railroad Square Art Park - Looking for a home for your art gallery or a space for your exciting business... they are looking for gallery/businesses that are willing to keep regular business hours. If interested, call E'layne at 850- 224-1308. Check out the park's new web site at http://www.railroadsquare.com.

ARTIST LIVE/WORK STUDIOS is available. Soul Gardens (514 West Georgia Street) is a community of nine private cottages, which include kitchen, living room, bedroom, small office/bedroom, one bath each. These small (600 square feet), bungalows cluster around a fenced central courtyard in the revitalized French Town district. Rent is $500 per month plus utilities and security deposit. Call 681-1887 or 524-9448.

Florida Arts Community Newsletter - Dozens of current opportunities for visual artists are now available in the online Florida Arts Community Newsletter found at http://www.artistsregistry.com/catalog/newsletter.php.
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DANCE

The Argentine Tango weekly events include: on Mondays, from 8-10pm, Practica at the Prophecy School of the Arts - former location of Montgomery Dance Studio, 1369 East Lafayette Street (guided practice sessions most appropriate for those dancing more than 6 months - $5); on Wednesdays from 7-10pm, one-hour Practica (practice) general sessions, followed by a two-hour Milonga (social dance), at the Atlantis Pub & Grill, 2727 Mahan Drive; on Thursdays, from 7:30-9:30pm, Practica at the Prophecy School of the Arts (most appropriate for those dancing less than 6 months - $5); and, on Fridays, from 9pm-midnight, a Milonga , also at the Prophecy School of the Arts. For more info, please visit http://www.tangotallahassee.com, call 850-222-2211 or contact info@tangotallahassee.com.

Join the Tallahassee Community Friends of Old-time Dance for some great contra dances on the second and sometimes fourth (or fifth) Friday of each month. For more info and upcoming schedule, visit http://www.tallydancer.com. Or, contact Mary at 850-421-1559 or maryallgire@yahoo.com.

Join the Tallahassee Swing Band for live big band music & dancing every Tuesday at the American Legion Hall (at Lake Ella). The Tallahassee Swing Club provides free dance lessons from 6:30-7:15pm. The cost of admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students.

Strictly Salsa - the Corazon Dancers give Salsa dance lessons at Atlantis on most Thursdays, with Beginners at 7pm, and Intermediates at 8pm. The dance floor opens up at 9:30pm - til. Pay a one-time cover of $5 or get an Atlantis VIP card. For more info, call 305-799-4463 or visit http://fsucorazon.com.

FSU Ballroom Dance club meets on Sundays during each semester. Beginners meet at 7pm and intermediates at 8:40pm. The cost is $5 per semester and is open to everyone, regardless of age. A wide array of dances are taught, which include: foxtrot, waltz, swing, west coast swing, triple-time swing, hustle, tango, cha cha, merengue, rumba, salsa and mambo. Classes typically meet every Sunday night in the FSU Union Ballrooms or the Club Downunder. There is no need to worry if you don't get a chance to start the semester, because they teach new dance steps each week. Partners are not required, nor is any type of dancing experience. There is also no need to worry with your attire - anything comfortable will do. The same applies for your shoes. Just wear something that you can dance and turn in without getting tired sore feet. For more info, visit http://www.fsuballroomdance.com. They also have links to other places to dance!

Do ya wanna dance? Do you ever wonder where you can go dancing in Tallahassee throughout the week - whether it is Ballroom or specialized styles, line dancing or just doing your own thing? This site has a list of venues with details: http://homepage.mac.com/mweininger/tallusabda/dancetally.html.
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THEATER  

The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh is playing at the Tallahassee Little Theatre Coffeehouse on the weekends through March 9 – at 8pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2pm on Sundays. Tickets are $12. For more info, call the Box Office at 224-8474 or visit www.tallahasseelittletheatre.org.

Little Shop of Horrors will be showing from Friday, March 7 - Sunday, March 16, at the Young Actors Theatre. A down-and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon "Audrey II" grows into an ill-tempered, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite. This affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name! Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, "Little Shop of Horrors" never fails to entertain. General Public ticket prices are $14 for students and senior citizens and $16 for adults. Children under the age of five are recommended to attend Attic Players performances. Box Office hours are Monday - Friday 9:30am-1pm. Call 850-386-6602 x 2 for more info or visit www.youngactorstheatre.com. 

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WRITING, LITERATURE & FILM    

"Honeydripper" opens at the Miracle Five on Friday, March 7! John Sayles, one of America's most respected independent filmmakers, has done it again. In "Honeydripper," he has taken a world-class cast (Danny Glover, Stacy Keach, Keb' Mo', Mary Steenburgen, Charles S. Dutton, among many others), crisp photography, a well-written and -directed script, and a music score to die for and has made screen magic. The story concerns an embittered juke joint owner and ex-musician (Glover) trying to make ends meet with a club on the outs, who is trying one last move to avoid closure by hiring well-known musician Guitar Sam to fill his club. A wife who is serious about reconnecting with her faith, a corrupt sheriff, and other odd characters flesh out this successful story set in the racially segregated South of 1950. Shot last year (2007), the film is now earning scattered distribution but deserves more attention. For more info on "Honeydripper," visit http://honeydripper-movie.com/. The music score (composed and/or arranged by Mason Daring) is a total toe-tapper and includes Delta blues, stride piano, gospel, R&B - years before Alan Freed coined the term "Rock & Roll"). "Honeydripper" (the name of the juke joint) is a must-see for anyone interested in well-made films, history, blues music, and its direct descendant, rock 'n' roll. "Honeydripper" features blues musician Keb' Mo', who played Ruby Diamond Auditorium last Saturday night as part of FSU's Seven Days of Opening Nights. His music is a living link to the seminal Delta blues that traveled from Robert Johnson up the Mississippi River and across this country before evolving into a universally celebrated art form. Born Kevin Moore in South Los Angeles to parents originally from the deep South, he adopted his current stage name as a young player whose very young cousins could not properly pronounce "Kevin Moore." Inspired by the storied bluesmen of his youth - Muddy Waters (aka McKinley Morganfield) and Taj Mahal (aka Henry St. Clair Fredericks), Moore became known as Keb' Mo'. His acclaimed self-titled 1994 debut album introduced that now famous appellation to the world, and his latest album, 2006's "Suitcase," brings it to new heights. Mo's music is a purely postmodern expression of the artistic and cultural journey that has transformed the blues, and his own point of view, over time. His distinctive sound embraces multiple musical eras and genres in which he is expert, including pop, rock, folk, and jazz. The total magic of his music owes as much to contemporary music's singer-songwriter movement, encompassing his longtime friends and collaborators Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, as it does to the spirit and mentorship of blues godfather Robert Johnson. Keb' Mo' maximizes the common bond among these influences and regales us with a powerful storytelling ethic through the muscular power of song to convey human experience and emotional weight. Regal Cinemas and the film's distributor, Emerging Pictures, have graciously donated 5 movie passes (each pass is good for two complimentary admissions to the film) and a copy of the film's soundtrack. To be eligible to win one of these prizes, simply e-mail filmnews@tallahasseefilms.com with JOHN SAYLES HONEYDRIPPER in the "Subject" line by 7pm on Thursday, March 6. Lucky winners will be chosen at random and notified via email by March 8. Winners can stop by the box office of the Regal Miracle Five Theater to pick up their passes on or after 2pm, Monday, March 10. The passes are good Monday through Thursday only, on or after Monday, March 10, and only during the film's engagement at the Regal Miracle Five Theatre. The following interview with John Sayles appeared in The Washington Post on 2/22/08: "John Sayles, Riffing on The Blues" by Eve Zibart - "I've always thought that the first place Americans integrate is through music," says filmmaker John Sayles, whose new movie "Honeydripper," is about a black blues club in Jim Crow-era Alabama. "Back in [the '50s], everyone was playing the same music," he says. "If a [black] blues guy heard a country artist play something he liked, he'd say, 'That's cool, I'll do that,' or even 'I'd like to play with that guy,' and vice versa. Musicians always found each other. White club owners would book black musicians, and they'd let both white and black audiences in. They'd put a rope down the middle of the room to keep them apart, but pretty soon people would start dancing, and the rope would come down." In "Honeydripper," the music that will provide the soundtrack for integration, still many years away, is born. Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover), the piano-playing, guitar-hating owner of the nearly empty Honeydripper Lounge, passes off a young unknown named Sonny (Gary Clark Jr.) as blues star Guitar Sam in a desperate bid to save the lounge. Sayles says "Honeydripper" grew out of a short story he wrote a decade ago about a 40-year-old guitarist who's thinking of giving it up when an old janitor comes up and says, "I used to be Guitar Slim." "There were a lot of 'Guitar Slims' in those days," Sayles says. "Back before there was MTV or whatever, a song would be a hit, and nobody would really know what the guy looked like. A club owner would hire somebody and say, 'You know that song on the jukebox? Tonight you're Guitar Slim.' "Sayles was determined the film's music should be authentic. So he cast R&B up-and-comer Clark as Sonny. Other musicians in the films include Mable John, longtime Raelette and sister of the late Little Willie John; blues great Keb' Mo'; harmonica vet Arthur Lee Williams; sax man and Howlin' Wolf sideman Eddie Shaw; and, subbing as Glover's piano-playing hands, Henderson Huggins. (The movie also stars Stacy Keach, Mary Steenburgen and Charles S. Dutton.) The band got so tight that Clark, John, Huggins, Shaw and Williams performed as the Honeydripper All-Star Band at the Chicago Blues Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. "We're hoping it's going to translate into a European tour," Sayles says. "Blues is really alive there, and we're hoping to get a buzz going that this isn't a 'black movie,' it's a music movie." But rousing broad support for any music movie can be tricky, Sayles says, since popular music seems to be splitting along racial lines in a way that it didn't in the "Honeydripper" era. "A lot of people in the black community won't listen to rap, because they think it's bad for human beings; white kids are listening to rap but not making it; and most serious blues fans are 45-year-old white guys, especially in the North," says Sayles, now 57.

"Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris" is playing this weekend at All Saints Cinema. Part tribute, part musical mystery, "Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris" shines an overdue spotlight on a great who got away. In the 1950s and '60s the Italian-American jazz singer Jackie Paris packed New York jazz clubs, released five albums and was named best new male vocalist of 1953 in the Down Beat Critics Poll. Admired by his peers, he toured with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. All too soon, however, his career appeared to be over, and many believed he had died. What happened? To answer this question, the filmmaker Raymond De Felitta seeks out the man whom the singer Billy Vera describes as "Chet Baker times 10." Attempting a comeback at 79 despite a serious illness (he died during filming in 2004), Mr. Paris reveals a career dogged by inadequate management, insufficient luck and his own intractable ego. Tightly edited interviews with a host of jazz legends and industry insiders, as well as Mr. Paris' family and ex-wives, provide further insight, but the film's most powerful voice is the singer's own. (Not rated. 100 minutes) Show times are Friday, March 7, at 6pm and 8pm and Saturday, March 8, at 5pm and 7pm. General admission is $6.It's $5 each for active TFS members and students with valid IDs. All Saints Cinema is located inside the Amtrak station at 918-1/2 Railroad Avenue (between West Gaines Street and the railroad tracks). 

This week's IMAX films being shown at the Challenger Learning Center are: I Am Legend; Mummies: Mysteries of the Pharoahs; Bugs; Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia; and, Magnificant Desolation: Walking on the Moon. Prices are $7 for adults, $6.50 for students and seniors, and $5.50 for children 3-12. For more info, contact Michelle Personette at personette@eng.fsu.edu or 850-645-7796. Or, visit http://www.challengertlh.com. (The Challenger Learning Center also features a state-of-the-art Space Mission Simulator and utilizes the immersiveness of an IMAX theatre and a domed high-definition planetarium to create a holistic educational and entertaining experience.)

Barnes and Nobel's Bookstore sponsors regularly scheduled reading programs. Weekly Storytime is held every Saturday at noon. Parents and children can enjoy hearing beloved classics and new favorites. Take your friends along to enjoy the special craft time that follows. Also, every Saturday at 2pm, Young Readers, meet the R.E.A.D. Dogs - Reading Education Assistance Dogs. These attentive canines pay attention as they listen to youngsters read aloud. Adults are welcome to join in, too. On the third Thursdays of each month, a Mystery Book Group meets from 6:30-7:30pm. Barnes and Noble is located in the Tallahassee Mall on North Monroe Street. For more info, call 850-383-0600 or visit www.bn.com.

New DVDs are available at the Leroy Collins Leon County Public Library - The Leon County Public Library maintains an ever-growing collection of critically acclaimed movies, both contemporary and classic. All are available for checkout to library patrons with currently valid cards. Information about the availability of each title can be found at the Library's web site at http://www.leoncountyfl.gov/library . Recent additions to the collection include:
INDEPENDENT and INTERNATIONAL CINEMA:
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Sijie Dai; France/China, 2002)
Eastern Promises (David Cronenberg; UK/Canada, 2007)?
The Golden Door (Emanuele Crialese; Italy, 2007)?
12:08 East of Bucharest (Corneliu Porumbiou; Romania, 2006)
DOCUMENTARIES:
Can Mr. Smith Get To Washington Anymore? (Frank Popper; USA, 2006)?
Dialogues with Elie Wiesel (Richard D. Heffner; USA, 1997)?
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (Seth Gordon; USA, 2007)
Little Dieter Needs To Fly (Werner Herzog; France/UK/Germany, 1998)
Senator Obama Goes to Africa (Bob Hercules; USA, 2007)
CLASSICS:
Charlie Chan on Broadway (Eugene Forde; USA, 1937)?
Help! (Richard Lester; UK, 1965)?
The Last Man on Earth (Ubaldo Ragona; Italy/USA, 1964)?
Malpertuis (Harry Kumel; Netherlands, 1973)?
Othello (Stuart Burge; UK, 1965)?
The Policeman (Efraim Kishon; Israel, 1971)?
Prince of Foxes (Henry King; USA, 1949)

Call to Film Makers, Playwrights & Poets
 
Celtic Knots Playwriting Contest - The winning play will be staged as "black box" production with theatre director, Chuck Olsen and the Irish Theatre Ensemble acting. Celtic Knots is open to all writers with original One-Act Plays. Entries must follow accepted play format and be based on an Irish theme. Entries will be submitted to Tallahassee Writers Association, P.O. Box 3428, Tallahassee, 32315. The entry fee is $15. The deadline is April 1.

Sijo Writing Competition - This competition is open to all pre-college students (in grade 12 or younger) residing in the United States. Write sijo in English on a topic of your choice. (Sijo is traditionally composed in three lines of 14-16 syllables each.) For examples and more information about the sijo competition rules and application form, please visit www.SejongSociety.org. First prize is $300 and the winners' works may be published in the Korea Times Chicago and the Korean Quarterly. The deadline is April 30.

Members of the Tallahassee Film Festival call on the general public and local area professionals to participate in its first 24-Hour Film Contest for non-filmmakers, giving them an opportunity to learn film process The contest provides the community with the chance to be a part of the film process from conception to viewing by offering contestants training seminars and the opportunity to create and submit their own short film. Students, professionals and all members of the community are invited to attend. For details on how to participate, visit www.tallahasseefilmfestival.com.

CaKe, at the FAMU Department of English, is now accepting submissions of poetry (up to 5 poems as attachments with bio), photography and art (.jpeg only) for their second issue. Last year's issue was a huge success and they have great plans for the coming year, including a visiting writer. For further information, visit http://www.cakepoetry.com or send questions to cakesubmissions@hotmail.com.
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NATURE/OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Wakulla Springs is one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs! The colossal spring system is located in the Florida Panhandle just 14 miles south of Tallahassee. On average, more than 250 million gallons of water flow from Wakulla Spring every day - forming a nine-mile river that reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Wakulla Spring draws its water from a springshed covering hundreds of square miles from the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Georgia. While Wakulla Springs has attracted Florida residents to its deep basin for thousands of years, recent changes in land use in the springshed are having an impact on this gentle giant's health. Take a tour of Wakulla Spring in a special, in-depth "Interactive Spring Feature" at http://www.floridasprings.org/exploration/featured/wakulla. Learn about the history, people and geology that define this amazing spring system located within the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. The park plays host to an abundance of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, deer and birds. It offers swimming, glass bottom boats, guided river tours, bird watching, nature trails, snorkeling, interpretive exhibits, a historic lodge with dining, guest rooms, conference rooms and a gift shop, picnicking, concessions, horse trails and more. For more info about the park and the year-round activities provided, call 850-224-5950, send an e-mail to sandycook2x@wakullasprings.org or visit http://www.wakullasprings.org.

"Enjoy the quiet beauty that is Birdsong. An experience awaits that will delight the heart of the nature lover in anyone." Founded as a non-profit nature preserve and education center in 1986, Birdsong Nature Center is dedicated to preserving and maintaining its lands in a manner that is most beneficial to wildlife and to fostering in the public a greater understanding and appreciation of nature. Meandering throughout Birdsong's lands are 12 miles of nature trail - well suited for casual hiking. The varied woodland, wetland and old-field habitats support a diversity of wildlife, and offer an ideal setting for observing and enjoying the quiet, ongoing beauty found in its natural communities. The 565-acre center is open to visitors on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week. Birdsong offers a wide variety of natural science programs, for young and old alike, lead by local scientists and expert volunteers. The programs typically involve getting out to experience nature in the field, both on the grounds of the center and at local-area sites of special interest. Also, Birdsong's widely known "Bird Window" offers a wonderful opportunity for up-close observation of a wide array of resident and migratory bird species. A small sample of programs they offer includes: Wildlife identification - birds, plants, insects; Fire ecology and controlled-burn training; Maintaining habitat to benefit and attract wildlife; Gulf seashores and its creatures; the evening sky - planets, stars, constellations; and, In-service natural science workshops for teachers. These programs typically carry a small fee, usually $4-$6 for members, $8-$10 for nonmembers. Birdsong is located mid-way between Tallahassee and Thomasville on Meridian Road, 4 miles north of the Florida-Georgia border. Please call the center for registration and information at 1-229-377-4408 or send an e-mail to birdsong@birdsongnaturecenter.org. Visit the web site at www.birdsongnaturecenter.org.
• SPRING EQUINOX STAR WATCH - On Saturday, March 8, at 7:30pm, learn to find Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus by using the pointer system provided by the Big Dipper, now located in the northern sky. Take a blanket, binoculars, and a flashlight. Admission is $4 for Friends, $8 for nonmembers, and half price for children.
• Wednesday Nature Walk - From 2-4pm, take a stress break and enjoy the fresh air and peace and quiet of an afternoon nature walk at Birdsong. Walk along some of the less-traveled trails, experience Birdsong's biological diversity, learn about its history and at the end of the hike, visit the Bird Window and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or lemonade. Dress for the weather and for walking on mowed trails; take binoculars and water. Due to the length of the hike, this program may not be suitable for very young children. The cost is $5 for Nonmembers, $3 for  Members,  and half price for Children.

If you are interested in introducing yourself to the outdoors (and getting some exercise along the way), check out the Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association (FTA). They are based in and around the Tallahassee region, where you'll find some of the finest hiking in all of Florida. These are the county areas covered: Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla. Members of the Apalachee Chapter who are Florida Trail activity leaders lead regularly scheduled walks, hikes, paddling trips, work trips, and other outdoor activities throughout the year. Those interested in an activity should contact the listed leader at least a full day prior to the event. Dress appropriately for our unpredictable weather and the woods - wearing layers and hiking footwear is recommended. Always take water, and possibly snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray. Most activities continue as scheduled, even if the weather is less than ideal. An adult chaperon must accompany children. Some activities are open to the public. Also, chapter meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 7-9pm in Building F, Suite 100 (U.S. Forest Service), at Woodcrest Office Park, 325 John Knox Road. (It is the first building on the right as you enter Woodcrest. The meeting room is ground level at the east end of Building F. Look for the Florida Trail signs at wooden door.) For more information, contact Richard Graham at 850-878-3616 or Linda Patton at 850-668-4334. Meetings are open to the public. Check out the web site at http://apalachee.floridatrail.org/activities.
• "Hiking the Florida Trail: 1,100 Miles, 78 Days, Two pairs of Boots, and One Heck of an Adventure" -  For the March 11 program, Johnny Molloy, outdoor adventurer and prolific guidebook writer, will wow you with images of his 2005 thruhike, talk about his trail experience – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and let you in on his thoughts about the Florida Trail. His newest book is the very first narrative of a Florida Trail thruhike.

Torreya State Park - The park has 13,217 acres of the most diverse property in Florida. High bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River make Torreya one of Florida's most scenic places. (The bluffs are sometimes called the "Mountains of Florida.") The park is named for an extremely rare species of Torreya tree that only grows on the bluffs along the Apalachicola River. Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Torreya is popular for camping, hiking, and picnicking. Bird-watching is also a popular activity. Over 100 species of birds have been spotted in the park. Forests of hardwood trees provide the finest display of fall color found in Florida. The main campground offers full-facility campsites and a YURT (Year-round Universal Recreational Tent). Primitive campsites and a youth campground are also available. Ranger-guided tours of the Gregory House, a fully furnished plantation home built in 1849, are given at 10am on weekdays and 10am, 2pm., and 4pm on weekends and state holidays. The park is located west on County Road 1641 off State Road 12, 13 miles north of Bristol. For Information about Torreya State Park, please call 850-643-2674.

Experience the adventure of a lifetime! Excitement, camaraderie, exploration, and lots of fun can be yours just minutes away at the nearby Quincy Airport. Imagine the feeling and the incredible bird's eye view as you experience true human flight while enjoying some of North Florida's most beautiful scenery. The School of Human Flight is celebrates more than 13 years as the #1 Skydiving School in North Florida. Whether you want to make a one-time tandem jump, become a nationally licensed skydiver or train for a career in skydiving you can do it all right there at their Quincy Airport facility, just 15-20 minutes west of Tallahassee. The sky's the limit! The School of Human Flight is very fortunate to have some of skydiving's most experienced instructors, pilots and videographers. Their team of professionals includes four skydiving world record-holders and a world and national gold medal champions! Their FAA commercially rated pilots are among the most experienced professional skydive pilots in the industry. They are one of only a handful of Department of Defense approved drop zones providing services to the US Air Force. The modern skydiving systems used are equipped with hi-tech cybernetic parachute release systems, which have the ability to activate the reserve parachute automatically. Your safety is always their #1 priority, reflected in their excellent safety record. And, their #2 priority is helping people enjoy what many have considered "the most fun they've ever had". There are several shaded picnic tables and "hanging out" areas right next to the landing area for non-jumping friends and family members to watch as you are trained and prepared for your jump and for your landing. For more info, call 850-627-7643 or send an e-mail to info@skkydivetallahassee.com. Visit their web site at http://www.skydivetallahassee.com.

Are you looking for a little outdoor adventure, but not sure where to start? Then do it "The Wilderness Way." Explore the Panhandle's lazy rivers, hardwood forests, cypress swamps, bay and inland wetlands and tidal creeks with this adventure outfitter that offers customized and scheduled wilderness excursions for individuals or groups of all ages. Private and guided tours are available, as well as certified instruction, kayak and canoe sales and rental, paddlesport accessories and kayak fishing gear. They are located at 4901 Woodville Highway in Tallahassee. Call 850-877-7200 or visit http://www.thewildernessway.net/Tours.htm for trip ideas, scheduled events and prices.

A truly unique experience for the family is a "Sky Tour" offered by Steven Reecy, a local astronomy aficionado. View the night sky through four high quality telescopes in a special viewing area located just outside of Tallahassee. Refreshments and amenities are available. For more info, call 850-893-2007.

Stargazing – What better place to do it than at St. George Island State Park! Learn about constellations, planets and other amazing facts, and search the night skies with Alan Knothe. To sign up and for more information, contact Alan at alan.knothe@dep.state.fl.us or 850-653-8063.

SEAHORSE WATER SAFARIS at Port St. Joe Marina offers boat rentals, kayak rentals, sunset cruises, snorkel trips, scallop trips, private cruise boat charters (for up to 25 people) and dive lessons. Book a boat rental or a cruise boat charter and learn about the wonderful marine life in beautiful St. Joseph Bay. The marina in open from 8am-6pm daily. Call 850-227-1099 for information or to make reservations. Or, visit http://www.psjmarina.com.

Tours in Tallahassee and the Surrounding Area - Let Historic Florida Consulting and Tours introduce you to the real Tallahassee - from the downtown historic and cultural districts to Lake Miccosukee. Learn about Tallahassee's history and culture, and also where its new and unique places are located. The tours are informative and fun for visiting dignitaries and guests and an orientation for newcomers to this area. For more info, visit www.toursintallahassee.com. Or, contact Beth LaCivita at 850-561-0317, 850-212-2063 or tours@historicfloridaconsulting.com.

What's Up in the Big Bend is a web site that has all kinds of kinds of activities, events and organizations that will tickle the fancy of any nature or outdoor enthusiast at this site: http://www.flwildflowers.com. There's info on a Butterfly Club, a Native Plant Society, a teen Big Bend Climate Action Team, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, as well as the Florida Trail Association, the Canoe and Kayak Club and much more.
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VOLUNTEER & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Break the cycle of poverty! The "Mobile Food Ministry-Serving HIM 24/7" serves meals to the poor (at the corner of 625 W 4th Ave.) and delivers food and other items to the homebound, from 10am-2pm, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. (The next one is March 8. Upcoming  serve dates are March 22, April 12 and 26.) They served over 600 meals at a recent event. Please contact David at bdavidmor@gmail, Cindy Ericks at cindyericks@comcast.net or Wendy Matthews at wndymthws@yahoo.com if you are interested in helping in any capacity. They are always in need of leaders, administrative, community relations and supplies coordinators; newsletter help, food preparers; servers; delivery drivers and riders; musicians willing to play music on site (nothing fancy); donations of food (and non-perishable food items for deliveries), paper goods, toiletries (shampoo, soap, moisturizer, toothbrushes, floss), vitamins, Bibles, etc. They have also started a community garden and need gardeners to help till, plant and tend it.

For parents of healthy children, we know how fortunate we are. That's why we're so involved in supporting the efforts of the March of Dimes, an organization that works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Every day, more than 1,400 babies are born prematurely, some so small they won't survive, while others, weighing only a pound or two, will struggle to breathe or will face lifelong disabilities. On Saturday, April 12, the local chapter will be hosting a March of Dimes Walk America event downtown. They are looking for musicians and volunteers for the event. Visit http://www.marchofdimes.com for more info on the March of Dimes and other ways you can help. For more volunteer info, call Nancy Shank at 599-1588 or send an e-mail to Nancy.Shank@embarq.com.

Jazz for Justice began nine years ago in an effort to give the people in the Big Bend community an opportunity to support and celebrate the work of Legal Services of North Florida. They would like to invite artists, businesses, and the community of Tallahassee to be an integral part of Jazz for Justice 2008 including a silent auction to be held at Chez Pierre Restaurant in Midtown Tallahassee on Sunday, May 18. The event is open to clients, as well as contributors, in a fun-family atmosphere with dancing and music under the oaks. This year's event proceeds will be going towards providing civil legal assistance to domestic violence victims, children, the poor, and elderly in our community. The silent auction starts online on May 1, and people from all over the community will bid on items electronically until May 16, with final bids will accepted at the event on Sunday afternoon. General admission is $10 and $100 for a patron package. Feel free to contact us them at 850-385-9007 x1036 or visit www.jazzforjustice.org. For ticket information, contact 850-385-9007 x1011.

Mission San Luis Education Internship - Mission San Luis is seeking an intern to assist education staff for the summer of 2008. Duties will include facilitating summer camp activities and performing community outreach. For more information, please contact Bonnie Wright at programs@missionsanluis.org.  

Arts in Medicine Volunteers needed at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. If you have an artistic talent that you would like to share with others, become a part of the TMH Arts in Medicine Volunteer Program. If you are interested, contact Kelly Hehn at 850-980-2814 or kma02c@fsu.edu .

Tallahassee Museum Spring/Summer Internship Program – They are looking for an Office of Development Intern to assist the Director of Institutional Advancement, the Special Events/Membership Manager and the Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator as needed for no less than 10 hours per week. Mileage will be reimbursed. For further information, contact Lauren McLendon at lmclendon@tallahasseemuseum.org.

LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts 2008 Internship Program - LeMoyne's internship program provides in-depth learning experiences for college juniors and seniors, graduate students and recent graduates in arts administration. Working under the supervision of LeMoyne's senior staff, interns will gain "real world" nonprofit experience and develop creative problem solving abilities and related skill sets for future nonprofit art careers. All internships are interdisciplinary. For information on how to apply for an internship at LeMoyne, contact Grace Maloy at gracemaloy@hotmail.com.  
 
Help Build a New Future for the Past - Mission San Luis has volunteer opportunities to satisfy the history lover in everyone. Volunteers of all ages who wish to tell the Mission's story are provided with historical clothing and training that enables them to play a role in the reenactment of 17th century life. If you like working with your hands, apprentice to a cook, an Apalachee potter, a Mestizo tanner, or a blacksmith, discover the artisan within yourself, and bring history to life! However, it takes more than costumed "interpreters" to make a village. Mission San Luis has gardens to tend and visitors to greet. Their volunteer opportunities include operations in the Visitor Center and the El Mercado History Shop, sewing, gardening, marketing, nature trail upkeep, education outreach, animal husbandry, and administrative chores. The possibilities are limitless, and your sense of accomplishment will be priceless. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Mission San Luis, please contact the volunteer coordinator at 850-487-3711 or programs@missionsanluis.org .

The Fertile Compilation is in need of local bands, visual artists, and poets. The Fertile Compilation is a CD compilation of music, art, and poetry from the Tallahassee area put out through Cloud 13 Records with the support of local groups like FC2, V89, and 621 Gallery. They have released three issues in the past and are currently working on a new issue that will be sold to benefit Brehon Institute, a local non-profit aimed at assisting homeless women through pregnancy. They're looking for audio tracks of local original music and poetry readings as well as digital images of local original art work. If you are an artist needing exposure and interested in helping a worthy cause please contact Jesse Ricke at thefertile@gmail.com or visit http://www.cloud13records.com/fertilecomp.shtml. To learn more about the Brehon Institute visit http://www.brehoninstitute.com.

Radio Reading Service Needs You! Radio Reading Service volunteers read news and other information over a sub-channel received by special radios. The Florida Department of Education-funded program provides these radios free to qualified individuals. To become a volunteer-reader, you audition and, if successful, observe, train and start as a substitute reader with a partner. You can then move into a regular slot of one or two hours a week as spaces become available. The service runs seven days a week. (They're also looking for listeners - those who are eligible for the program and are not getting the information they want and need due to their disability.) Join them for this challenging and rewarding opportunity. Contact the Radio Reading Service, 1600 Red Barber Plaza, Tallahassee FL 32310 or call 850-487-3086 x 366 or email reading@wfsu.org for an information packet/application. Don't forget to include your address (and ZIP) and phone number in your message. Or, check out the WFSU-FM Radio Reading Service web site at http://www.wfsu.org.

If, in an odd moment, you had ever thought, "I would really like to become more involved with the Tallahassee Film Society (TFS) and/or All Saints Cinema," your time has come. After all, who does not want a touch of the "glamour" associated with the movie industry...and not even have to leave the comfort of your home town?!! TFS is seeking folks interested in the following areas: Web site support and maintenance; Marketing - press relations, posters, print; Film programming recommendations; and, Projectionist at All Saints Cinema (the hippest cinema in the Gaines Street Art District). Please email TFS at filmnews@tallahasseefilms.com and let them know what interests you. Please include a contact phone number in your reply.

BUTTERFLY GARDEN WORK DAYS - Birdsong Nature Center invites you to join them to help in the Butterfly Garden. The Butterfly Garden volunteers meet the first Thursday of each month to create a beautiful garden for humans and butterflies alike. Take your gardening gloves, kneepads, picnic lunch, and field guides. (Visiting the Butterfly Garden is a joy! They are seeing giant, tiger, black, pipevine, and zebra swallowtails; gulf fritillaries; buckeyes; a variety of skippers; and, many different caterpillars.) For more information regarding Thursday workdays, call Donna Legare at 850-386-1148, or call the Birdsong office at 229-377-4408 or 1-800-953-BIRD.
 
The Animal Shelter at Tom Brown needs volunteers for special events and fundraisers. Also, if people have empty ink cartridges, old towels, and old or new collars and leashes, in all sizes the shelter is always happy to receive them as donations. Visit their site at http://www.talgov.com/residents/comm_services/petsanimals.cfm.

Wildlife Rescue - If you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife , call St. Francis Wildlife at 850-386-6296 or take it (day or night) to the Northwood Animal Hospital, 1881 N. Martin Luther King Blvd (just north of the Post Office). Transport wildlife in a warm, dark box with holes punched in the lid. Keep it quiet and handle it as little as possible. Do NOT give it food or water. NEVER handle raccoons, foxes, bats or any mammals (even babies) that could carry rabies. (Florida's squirrels, opossums and rabbits are not known to carry rabies.) When calling to report an animal injured on a road, note exactly where it is (Example: "1.4 miles west of exit 27 on the north side of I-10") and, if possible, leave a marker, like a towel tied to a tree limb. The St. Francis Wildlife Association, Inc. is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native wildlife in north Florida and south Georgia through the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and public education since 1977. They always need help feeding orphaned wild babies, especially in the spring and summer! For more information on wildlife rescue, please visit http://www.stfranciswildlife.org or send an e-mail to sandybeck@stfranciswildlife.org.

Adopt-a-Ramp is one of the many services that Ability 1st provides for persons with disabilities in the coordination of building wheelchair ramps. You, your church, business or civic organization or service group can sponsor a wheelchair ramp by: forming a volunteer group to build ramps; assist with student or community volunteers to build ramps; or, financially sponsor a ramp project. If you are interested in helping make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities in our community (and 6 surrounding counties), please contact Patricia Day at patriciaday@ability1st.info or call 850-575-9621 x 234.
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JOBS, GRANTS & SERVICES

LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts needs Male & Female life drawing models for Monday & Tuesday evening classes. Call Jenn Hoesing at 850-222-7622 to be added to LeMoyne's active model list or for more information.

Brush & Palette Studio is looking for Full/Part Time Summer (June-August) Art Camp Counselors. Please call Tyler Citron at 850-893-1960 for further details.

Mission San Luis, an outdoor, living history museum, is seeking an individual to represent a Spanish soldier or an Apalachee warrior at the Fort Castillo de San Luis at this National Historic Landmark site. Applicant must be willing to undertake black powder training and learn other skills necessary to the interpretation of 17th-century military life. Such "living history'" interpretation will include demonstrations of period crafts, skills, and chores while attired in 17th-century clothing. The museum is looking for people who love to communicate, educate, and foster a love of history and culture. If you are bilingual in Spanish and English, please indicate that in your letter/inquiry. This is an OPS position, paying $10.00 per hour for 40 hours per week. Interested parties should respond to Karin Stanford or Steven Kurisko at 487-3711 or kstanford@dos.state.fl.us or sjkurisko@dos.state.fl.us.

Music Lessons Express is now conducting interviews for instructor positions for the 2008-09 school year. Positions available include instructors in the areas of piano, guitar, strings, flute, voice and percussion, Instructors teach at public and private schools, churches and homes throughout Tallahassee. Hours of work include one or more weekday afternoons from approximately 2:00 - 6:00pm. (hours vary depending on location). Lessons take place in group and private format.  Hourly payment ranges from $17.50 - $25.00 depending on location and enrollment. To schedule an interview, please contact Lindsey Benedict at 850-219-3653 or lindsey@musiclessonsexpress.com.  

Fulbright Opportunity - The Department of Education has a Fulbright program that sends educators overseas during the summers. They are there to experience the country and culture (and not expected to teach or lecture). The government pays for 90% of all expenses (travel, lodging, most meals, etc). They have noticed a decline in the number of applications that they've been receiving. The new application is coming out soon. Contact Gale Holdren at gale.holdren@ed.gov if you are interested or have any questions. Or, call 202-502-7691.
 
Tallahassee Freecycle(TM) Network is part of the Freecycle(TM) Network, a worldwide non-profit organization that promotes waste reduction by providing individuals with an easy way to recycle unwanted goods by making them freely available to others. You can list any item (set pieces, costumes, office furniture, etc.) big or small - that you would like to give away or that you are looking for, so long as the item listed is FREE. So, join Freecycle and help change the world, one gift at a time! For more information, go to http://www.freecycle.org.
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UPCOMING EVENTS

"Obsession" is coming to All Saints on Friday, March 14. Torn from today's headlines comes the film that sparked a state-wide controversy due to its depiction of certain factions of the Islam faith. Criticized as inflammatory by many Muslims due to its depictions of terrorist attacks, "Obsession" does not claim to paint a representative portrait of Islam. (A disclaimer clearly states that the subject matter is specifically the radical terrorist movement that operates within Islam, not the religion itself.) However, one trailer for "Obsession" begins with footage of the 9-11 attacks, and the film has been discussed on the Fox News Network and on conservative talk radio, where Glenn Beck called it "one of the most important films of our time." Following a showing on the University of Florida campus, a university official called for an apology from the student group who sponsored the film. Attorney General Bill McCollum responded that UF had stifled free speech on campus. In January 2007, McCollum invited 500 employees to a screening in state buildings during work hours, provoking more controversy. Obsession is uniquely positioned to spark discussions about not only politics, but cinematic technique in particular: what is the nature of propaganda? What is the filmmaker's obligation to identify and/or avoid stereotypes? Obsesion is a film not to be taken lightly, and certainly not to be missed. (Not rated. Arabic/Parsee / English subtitles. 80 mins.) Show times are at 6pm and 8pm. General admission is $6 and $5 for active TFS members and students with valid IDs. All Saints Cinema is located at 918-1/2 Railroad Avenue inside the Amtrak station (on the west side of Railroad Avenue between Gaines Street and the railroad tracks).

"Strange Culture" with Steven Kurtz is coming to All Saints on Saturday, March 15. Lynn Herschman-Leeson returns (Her Teknolust premiered at the 2002 Sundance Festival) with "Strange Culture," a brilliantly conceived documentary that breaks conventional rules out of the necessity to tell the story. Artist and college professor Steve Kurtz was preparing for a MAS MoCA exhibition that lets audiences test whether food has been genetically modified when, days before the opening, his wife tragically died of heart failure. Distraught, Kurtz called 911, but when medics arrived, they became suspicious of his art supplies and called the FBI. Dozens of agents in haz-mat suits sifted through his home and impounded his computers, books, cat, and even his wife's body. The government held Kurtz as a suspected terrorist, and, nearly three years later, the charges have not been dropped. He still faces up to 20 years in prison. Because Kurtz cannot legally talk about the case, Leeson enlists actors, including Tilda Swinton, Josh Kornbluth, and Peter Coyote, to interpret the story. Leeson skillfully weaves dramatic reenactment, news footage, animation, testimonials, and footage of Kurtz himself into a sophisticated documentary about post-9/11 paranoia and the risks artists face when their work questions government policies. (Not rated. 75 mins.) Steve Kurtz will be present at All Saints after the film on March 15th for Q & A. Show time is 6pm. General admission is $6 and $5 for active TFS members and students with valid IDs All Saints is located at 918-1/2 Railroad Avenue inside the Amtrak station (on the west side of Railroad Avenue between Gaines Street and the railroad tracks).

Tallahassee Irish Society Parade - The Tallahassee Irish Society invites you to join the parade around Lake Ella, at 1pm, Saturday, March 15, with families, clans and organizations, schools, music groups, marching units, vehicles of all sorts. Go and show your Green! For more Information, call Jack Madden at 850-286-3696.

Pioneer Breakfast at the Tallahassee Museum - The early bird gets the eggs…and sausage, grits, pancakes, coffee and juice! On Saturday, March 15, head out to the Tallahassee Museum for the annual 'all you can eat' Pioneer Breakfast, from 7-11am. Each year the Museum's Board of Trustees prepares and cooks more than 1800 eggs, 300 pounds of sausage, 70 pounds of grits, 120 pounds of pancakes, 40 gallons of orange juice and more for your eating pleasure! Tickets are $7/Adults and $5/Children (14 and under) and can be purchased by visiting the Tallahassee Museum or by calling 850-575-8684. For more information, visit www.tallahasseemuseum.org.

Swing on out to the Tallahassee Museum with your dance shoes on and boogie to the blues at the 17th Annual Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, presented by Envision Credit Union! On Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, from 11am-5pm, enjoy the finest Jazz, Blues, Dixieland, Zydeco, Swing and R&B around. Activities will abound throughout the Museum grounds during the Festival. Performances on Saturday begin at 11am and at noon on Sunday. Festival pricing is regular Museum admission and even better, everyone gets in for half price on Sunday, between 11am and noon! For more information, call 850-575-8684 or visit www.tallahasseemuseum.org.

Upcoming Irish Events (For more info on any of these events, call 893-4663.):  

• The Wearin' of the Green Brunch & Roast with Sheriff Larry Campbell will be held at the Legion Hall on March 15. It is ALWAYS a good time and gets bigger every year.
• By popular demand, The Tallahassee Irish Society (TIS) will bring ENTER THE HAGGIS back to Tallahassee on St. Paddy's Eve, Sunday, March 16 – this time, they'll play at the American Legion Hall. This event definitely has the potential to sell out, so buy your advance tickets early at Shenanigans, Finnegan's Wake or the Warehouse. 

Ballroom Dance Gala Evening - Mark your calendars (Saturday, May 3, 7-10:30pm) for an evening of ballroom dancing plus professional dance exhibitions, a live auction with pro-auctioneer, silent auction, educational displays on community interests and primo door prizes. Proceeds go to a great cause, the Florida Public Interest Foundation, for community support programs and youth leadership academy. The event will be held at the Tallahassee Senior Center Ballroom. Further details and tickets are available at www.DanceTallahassee.com. Tickets are $25 each or $40 for couples. Purchase on-line and be a part of the virtual raffle for more great door prizes. Also find out about an exciting pre-Gala on-line auction and free dance lessons. For reservations or to purchase by phone, call 850-997-2837 or send a mail order to P.O. Box 1243, Monticello, FL, 32345.  
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The History of Women's History:
The public celebration of women's history in this country began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. The week including March 8, International Women's Day, was selected. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women's History Month.


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I've been back-logged with e-mails and finally have most of them read (or at least opened). I got a really late start on my "OUT & ABOUT" this week and was just finishing the last sentence of my last entry a couple of hours ago when I inadvertently hit something on g-mail and lost all my formatting. Zilch! Gone! At least I have it readable, now - though half the evening is over. Hopefully, I'll get back on track soon. I hope you all have a really good week.

P.S. If you know anyone who would like to be included in my (mostly) weekly "Out & ABOUT" updates, I will be glad to add them to my (unpublished) e-mail list. Likewise, please let me know if you want to be removed from the list.

P.S.S. IF YOU HAVE EVENTS OR ENTERTAINMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE POSTED, PLEASE SEND THE DETAILS AND CONTACT INFO IN PLENTY OF TIME TO ADD THEM TO imelton07@gmail.com. ( I might miss it if you send it to my other addresses.) Make sure to include the name of the event; when and where it will be held; the cost of admission, if any; contact info, and any other details you would like to share. (It would also be helpful if you send the info in an easy to copy and paste format similar to mine.) Also, send me a NEW message - don't reply to an old "OUT & ABOUT." Gmail wraps e-mails together for a particular subject and yours could get lost in those e-mail groups/misplaced, too. I USUALLY TRY TO SEND MY E-MAILS OUT BY THURSDAY OF EACH WEEK.

P.S.S.S. If you are looking for more to do, pick up the "Limelight" in Friday's edition of the Tallahassee Democrat or check out their web site at http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=ENT. Or visit these sites: http://www.discoverourtown.com/FL/Tallahassee/Events-127.html and http://www.talgov.com/residents/recleis.cfm.