Mar 28 Thursday
Artwork by area elementary students will take the spotlight during the 23rd annual Art Around Town exhibit. The event is set for March 19-28 on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St., in West Plains. It is sponsored by Missouri State University-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department and the West Plains Council on the Arts.
This free event will feature two- and three-dimensional pieces by children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The artists will represent the following school districts: Alton, Bakersfield, Dora, Fairview, Gainesville, Glenwood, Howell Valley, Junction Hill, Koshkonong, Lutie, Mtn. View-Birch Tree, Richards, Thayer, West Plains and Willow Springs. Each school can display up to 30 pieces of artwork in the exhibit, organizers said.
The exhibition also will include an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24, in the civic center lobby, followed by a reception to honor the artists. Artwork will be available for viewing on the mezzanine level. The works will be juried by artists from the region, organizers said.
Area residents are invited to view the pieces during regular civic center hours, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information about Art Around Town, call the U/CP Department at 417-255-7966 or visit wp.missouristate.edu/ucp/theater.htm.
Adults are invited to attend Understanding and Responding To Dementia-Related Behaviors at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Republic Branch Library, 921 N. Lindsey Ave.
Aggression, repetition, wandering – these and other dementia-related behaviors can be frightening to caregivers, and knowing what to do in these situations can help keep your loved one safe. Learn how to respond when someone you care for is struggling with dementia-related behaviors. This program is provided in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association Greater Missouri Chapter.
For more information on this free program call 417-732-7284.
The sixth annual Festival of Trees fundraiser for Christian Action Ministries will be held November 3 through December 3 at the Branson Landing to help with food shortages for Taney County residents.
The storefront will be open 12 pm to 6 pm, Sunday through Thursday and 10 am to 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays at Suite 216 on the Landing. The annual fundraiser offers visitors and community members a Christmas wonderland full of creatively decorated trees, wreaths and Christmas décor.
Area businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals partner with the food pantry by sponsoring a tree or wreath. Hundreds of items will be on display for purchase. The public will also be able to vote on the People’s Choice tree again this year.
Christian Action Ministries has served to combat food insecurity in Taney County since 1984. Each year, more than 40,000 individual cases of assistance are recorded – meaning nearly 500,000 meals provided in the more than two million pounds of food distributed. The food pantries are funded by donations from individuals, churches, and businesses in the community, and staffed by the dozens of volunteers who contribute their time and talents to serve their neighbors.
Roaring River State Park is teaming up with the Cassville Library to host a series of film screenings on the topic of climate change. With droughts, floods and hotter summers, we're seeing the effects of climate change right here in the Ozarks. The Cassville Library will host screenings at 6 pm on the last Thursday of the month from January to March to learn about and discuss solutions to the climate crisis. Some screenings will feature additional programs held throughout the month.
These programs are free and open to the public, and registration is not required. Drinks and snacks will be available. For more information, call the Ozark Chinquapin Nature Center at 417-847-3742 or the Cassville Library at 417-847-2121.
Series Schedule:
Jan. 25: "Kiss the Ground." Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this film reveals that regenerating the world's soils can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth's climate.
Feb. 29: "Before the Flood." Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, this film investigates the effects of climate change and the actions we can take to prevent catastrophic change.
Mar. 28: "A Life on Our Planet." This documentary features David Attenborough, his experiences on this magnificent planet we call home, and his message to the world.
A deadly competition for the throne will determine more than just the fate of the empire in Rebecca Coffindaffer's space opera "Crownchasers." Snacks provided. Recommended for grades 7-12. No registration required.
Mar 29 Friday
Mar 30 Saturday
Apr 01 Monday
Pat Jackson began playing trumpet in Springfield junior and senior high school bands before moving on to the guitar for gigs at parties, bars, and bowling alleys around Springfield. Thanks to a tip from friend Craig White, Pat played bass in a band with Speedy Haworth that performed on the first nationally televised country music show in Germany. He then moved to Nashville, joined the Drifting Cowboys (Hank Williams’s original group), and recorded a double album of Hank Williams hits with the band. For the next few years, Pat had steady gigs and session work in Nashville, including playing bass for songwriter Don King, whose band eventually became Sawyer Brown, and a six-year stint with country singer Billy Dean. Meanwhile, he picked up a day job as director of television at Middle Tennessee State University. The position allowed him to produce at least three songwriters’ shows. He also played several gigs with Supe and the Sandwiches, and with Supe’s alter ego, Silly Grandpa. Since retiring from the university, Pat continues to busy himself with producing records and playing various gigs in Nashville.