Community Calendar

Hunger Action Month is Ozarks Food Harvest’s annual advocacy campaign to raise awareness about hunger in the Ozarks and inspire action in the community. Proceeds from Hunger Action Month will support the Weekend Backpack Program, which provides children facing hunger with kid-friendly, nutritious meals and snacks to take home every weekend of the school year.

Join the movement to end hunger by attending Hunger Action Month events, hosting a food and fund drive, making your business a community partner or spreading the word.

Orange is the color of Hunger Action Month. You can show support for hunger relief by wearing orange on Go Orange Day, September 16.

You don’t have to be an expert to plant a yard or flower garden that provides good habitat for insects and local wildlife. All you need is a little help to determine the right plants in the right places. With many native plant species, you don’t have to wait for spring to begin planting, either.

People can learn more about plantings that can be made in autumn to establish good habitat in their yards at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) free virtual program, Native Plants: Planting in the Fall. This program, which will be Sept. 12 from 3:30-4:30 p.m., will be led by staff of MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center. MDC Naturalist Jordanya Raos will provide information about native plants and share recommendations for yard and garden designs that will work around the home. This program is open to all ages. People can register for this program at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/210697

Though this program is free, registration is required to participate. This program will also be an opportunity to get information about the native plant sale at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sept. 27.

MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located at 4601 S. Nature Center Way. People wanting more information about this program or other upcoming events at the nature center can call 417-888-4237. People can also call this number to get signed up for text alerts and e-mail bulletins about upcoming programs at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center and other nearby MDC facilities.

Springfield Sister Cities Association and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host the 29th annual Japanese Fall Festival September 5-7 at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

The festival celebrates Springfield's long relationship with Sister City Isesaki, Japan with authentic cultural experiences for all ages, including:

· Samurai Sword Soul returning as the headline entertainer with its theatrical mix of humor, drama and authentic sword-fighting arts performed in a contemporary artistic style.

· New participants Bentenya, a group of Japanese Chindon Girls who are traveling Route 66 to introduce Japanese culture through their performances.

· Two groups of taiko drummers – returning favorites St. Louis Osuwa Taiko and the new Forest of Nukumori, a Japanese family of five whose father trained with a renowned drumming group in Japan.

· Springfield’s own Japanese cultural performers – the Kizuna Japan America Friendship Group; fun dance cover groups KiRi KiRi, Summer Magic, MoonMagic Dance; and Springfield Cosplay hosting a hologram show on Saturday evening.

· World-renowned large-scale calligrapher Seiran Chiba, who will make a return visit from her home in Fukushima, Japan.

· Several advanced archery students from Japan demonstrating Kyūdō, a martial art that emphasizes both accuracy and character development.

· The largest number of food, retail and information booths to date. Two food courts will feature expanded sweet and savory offerings reflecting Asian and U.S. tastes.

The 20th annual Shakin' in the Shell Fest will be held September 12-13 at Chamber Park in Shell Knob.

Activities include a car show, dinosaurs, live music, a salute to veterans, games, food and more.

Information at https://shellknob.com/shakin-in-the-shell

The James River Basin Partnership will host the annual Sunset Soiree event September 12 at Finley Farms to celebrate local waterways.

The event will include live music, local food, drinks, a silent auction and more.

All proceeds from this event support the James River Basin Partnership's programs, outreach, education, research, and annual river cleanups.

Tickets are required.

Theatre North of 60, an initiative of National Avenue Christian Church, will present a production of the musical Annie September 12-21. This unique staging will bring the classic story to life with a twist: every role, from the feisty orphan Annie to the formidable Miss Hannigan and the benevolent Daddy Warbucks, will be portrayed by actors aged 55 and over.

Annie will be performed in a re-engineered space at National Avenue Christian Church. All shows are free to the public, with donations accepted. Shows include evening performances and matinees on the following dates:

• Friday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, September 14 at 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Hunger Action Month is Ozarks Food Harvest’s annual advocacy campaign to raise awareness about hunger in the Ozarks and inspire action in the community. Proceeds from Hunger Action Month will support the Weekend Backpack Program, which provides children facing hunger with kid-friendly, nutritious meals and snacks to take home every weekend of the school year.

Join the movement to end hunger by attending Hunger Action Month events, hosting a food and fund drive, making your business a community partner or spreading the word.

Orange is the color of Hunger Action Month. You can show support for hunger relief by wearing orange on Go Orange Day, September 16.

Music Therapy of the Ozarks will host the 8th annual Rockin' Roll Bike & Music Festival September 13 in at the Mile6 Taproom in Willard with bike rides for all skill levles, live music, food trucks, games and more.

Registration is required.

The Rotary Club of Table Rock Lake will host the Great Pickle Race 5K, Fun Run, and Pickleball Tournament September 13. The 5K will on the wooded trails of Wolf Pack Park and the fun run will take place on pavement around Reeds Spring High School.

Water and snacks will be available.

Pickleball Info

• Open Doubles Tournament - Round Robin Format (Open Doubles means men, women, and mixed teams play each other)
  
• Three levels: Beginner (2.5-3.0), Intermediate (3.0-3.5), and Advanced (3.5-4.0)
  
• Medals awarded to the top three teams in each category (based on wins and losses/points will be the tiebreaker)
  
• Need a partner? You will be paired with a player of similar playing ability

All participants will receive entry into a raffle to win gift certificates and passes to area restaurants and attractions.

The Rotary Club will use the proceeds to award grants to nonprofit organizations.

In addition to planning all the good things you want to happen on a camping or hiking trip, it’s important to be ready when bad things happen, too.

On Sept. 13, people can get information on basic first-aid items to take on their next outdoor outing at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) program “Outdoor Skills: Wilderness Survival.” This program will be 10 a.m.-noon at MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center. People can register for this program at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/210704

At this free program, outdoor skills specialist Don Brink will discuss basic safety items people need to take on hiking, camping, backpacking, and hunting trips. This program is suggested for ages 7 and up.

MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located in southeast Springfield at 4601 S. Nature Center Way. People wanting more information about this program or other upcoming events at the nature center can call 417-888-4237. People can also call this number to get signed up for text alerts and e-mail bulletins about upcoming programs at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center and other nearby MDC facilities.