Hampton Roads Network for Non-violence presents the opening vigil launching the 2006 Season for Nonviolence with a multi-cultural event of inspiration and song from 6-7:30 p.m. It is open to the community and held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park on the corner of Brambleton Ave. and Church Street. in Norfolk. Participants may park at the Vivian C. Mason Center at 700 E. Olney Rd, and then walk one block to the park. Refreshments will be served at the Mason center after the program. Call Suzanne Hawver Wheatley 583-6025 or Cory Mason 617-4493.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

The Laurel garden Club will meet at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Parish House. Tom Steele will speak on “Build a Birdhouse”. Cost is $3.

Thursday, Feb. 2

The Chrysler Museum of Art will present Civil War photographs from the David L. Hack Collection and Civil War Redux: pinhole photographs by Willie Anne Wright, at 6 p.m.

Museum members admitted free. Cost for others is $8.

My Medicare Matters van will be at the Bethlehem Christian Church, from 1 p.m.. to 4 p.m. to help with Medicare

matters, drug prescriptions, etc., sponsored by the Bethlehem Ruritan Club. Call 539-8872.

Saturday, Feb. 4

A statewide financial aid event for students will be held at Paul D. Camp Community College’s Regional Workforce Development Center on 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The purpose of the event is to give all students, who are planning to attend a college or university in the fall, the opportunity, resources and assistance to connect to the online federal aid site to file next year’s Free Financial Aid Application (FAFSA). Students should bring their 2005 W-2s and/or completed tax forms to the event. For students 24 or younger, bring a parent along to provide his/her income information and to sign the application. Call Teresa Harrison at 569-6715 or Veronica Cianetti 925-6307.

Sunday, Feb. 5

The Butterfly Society of Virginia will host a lecture on attracting butterflies at 2 p.m. at the Norfolk Botanical Garden Visitor’s Center Rose Garden Hall. Call 499-6789.

There will be a Super Bowl Open House sponsored by the Suffolk Chapter 5, Disabled American Veterans, at 5 p.m. in the chapter headquarters on South Saratoga St.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

The Bethlehem Ruritan Club, 140 Manning Road, will hold an information session of the Southeastern Virginia Medicare Drug Prescription Program at 7:30 p.m. Jim Hutchinson, from MEDICARE in Norfolk, will present a one-hour program on the Drug Reform Senior Service.

The

public is invited to attend the presentation at no cost.

The club will have dinner at 7 p.m., with the program beginning at 7:30.

Call Rufus Powell

539-8872 to make reservations.

The Flower Guild will host a floral demonstration, featuring Flower Guild Chairman Robin Ingram, at 10 a.m. at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk. Cost: $25 for guild members; $45 for non-members. Call 965-2045 for reservations. Tickets available at the museum gift shop.

A culinary class, teaching the preparation of several quick, exotic desserts, including audience participation and sampling, will be held at the Obici Wellness Center at the Suffolk YMCA on Godwin Boulevard from 6-8 p.m.

Cost is $20, with a $5 discount per person for registering a guest. Pre-registration and payment are required. Call 934-8572

Prescription Drug Programs

Jim Hutchinson of Senior Service of Southeastern Virginia will speak on Medicare Prescription Drug Programs at Bethlehem Ruritan Club, 140 Manning Rd. at 7:30 p.m.

Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. Reservations for dinner only 539-8872

Saturday, Feb. 11

The 57th Annual Sweetheart Ball, sponsored by Beta Sigma Phi, will be held from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. DJ will be Jeremy Branch. Dress is semi-formal and I.D.’s will be checked at the door. Tickets: $10 a person. Call 539-6171.

Suffolk Elks Lodge No. 685 will have a herring breakfast on from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Cost for the breakfast is $5.

The menu includes herring, potatoes, cornbread, fruit, coffee and orange juice.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Western Tidewater Community Services Board Annual Polar Bear motorcycle ride sponsored by the American Cruiser Alliance will by held today. All proceeds to benefit the Mental Health Consumer Fund. For more information call Sandra Brinkley @ 255-7132 or Pat @ 328-7584

Sunday, February 12

The 17th Annual Sweetheart Banquet will be held at 3 p.m., Feb. 12, at the Smithfield Center, Smithfield. Special guest: The Rev. H.C. Church of Chapel Grove UCC Church, Windsor. Musical guests: violinist Bro. Eric Taylor, Gospel Sensations, of Portsmouth, and Lorita Mason, of Zuni. A buffet dinner will be served. Dress is formal or semi-formal. Call 242-4608, 641-8004, or 641-8216.

Volunteers to Teach Therapeutic Horse Riding Lessons

Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center seeks volunteers for horse leader or sidewalker for lessons for people with disabilities. No horse experience is required. Training will be Sun., Feb.12, 2-4 p.m. at 14492 Ivor Rd., Sedley. Call Cyndi Raiford at 653-9615, or e-mail director@granacres.org.

Thursday, February 16

Pat Edwards, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS, Acute Care Nurse Practitoner at Obici Hospital and Lakeview Medical Center will present a free program on Heart Health. The one-hour presentation will be at 10 a.m., in the Obici Wellness Center at the Suffolk YMCA on Godwin Boulevard. Call for information or to pre-register at 934-8572

Friday, February 17

Tidewater Community College will host Transitions, a free half-day conference for women in Virginia Beach from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Pungo Auditorium on the Virginia Beach Campus. The program includes a motivational speakers and TCC representatives who will answer questions and present information on enrollment, financial aid, placement testing, and what to expect when attending college. Participants are encouraged to discuss their concerns about balancing family, work and school. Interested women may register for the date that best fits their schedule. The Student Activities office will provide refreshments. To register, call 822-7363.

Saturday, February 18

The 6th annual Womanless Beauty Pageant will be held Feb. 18 at Nansemond Suffolk Academy, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Nansemond River Pilot Club, and will benefit the American Cancer Society. Appetizers will be provided by club members, and are included in the $15 cost of admission. Call Janet Cowell 539-6007, or Nancy Rountree 539-9988.

Womanless Beauty Pageant

The Third Mr./Ms. Wakefield Womanless Beauty Pageant will be held at the Wakefield Foundation, 100 Wilson Ave., Wakefield on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.. Event is sponsored by the Wakefield Foundation to benefit the Elevator Fund. Tickets are $6 per person (six and under free), and can be purchased at Wakefield Pharmacy, Britt’s Service Center, or the Troxler Library.

Mr./Ms. Wakefield 2004, “Bunny” Laine will be present to crown the queen, and Mike Harrell will be master of ceremonies. Call 757-899-2365.

Wednesday, February 22

A Healthcare Provider CPR from the American Heart Association, course, that includes a Certification Card, will be presented in the Obici Wellness Center at the Suffolk YMCA on Godwin Boulevard, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Course is designed for healthcare professionals. Cost is $60 and pre-registration is required, which can be done at the Suffolk YMCA. Call 934-8572

Thursday, February 23

An American Heart association course, Heartsaver CPR with AED will be presented 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Obici Wellness Center at the Suffolk YMCA on Godwin Boulevard. Course is designed for lay rescuers and a two year certification card is issued upon successful completion. Cost is $60. Pre-registration is required. Call 934-8572.

The Prudent Center for Industry and Technology, 4169 Pruden Blvd., will hold an open house from 5-8 p.m. for parents/guardians of 9th, 10th

and 11th

grade students currently attending high school in Isle of Wight

or Suffolk, and residents and all others who have an interest in attending The Pruden Center evening courses. Refreshments will be served and door prizes given away each hour. Call 925-5651 or visit www.prudentcenter.net

The Florence Bowser Elementary School has rescheduled its February meeting to today at 7 p.m.  (It was originally set for Feb. 2)  Kindergarten students will perform.  Call the school at 538-5410 for more information.

Friday, March 3

Masterworks Performing Art Company of Chesapeake, will feature the ballet “Lily & the Gypsies” at 7 p.m. Tickets: General admission $12, senior citizens and children younger than 11 $10. Call 548-2122 or visit www.masterworksusa.com

Saturday, March 4

Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center’s Benefit Dinner and Auction to support its therapeutic lessons for people with disabilities will be held Sat. March 4, at 6 p.m., at Paul D. Camp Community College Regional Workforce Development Center, 100 N. College Dr., Franklin. $30 per person. Call Cyndi Raiford 653-9615 or e-mail director@granacres.org.

Sunday, March 5

Masterworks Performing Art Company of Chesapeake, will feature the ballet “Lily & the Gypsies” 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. Tickets: General admission $12, senior citizens and children younger than 11 $10. Call 548-2122 or visit www.masterworksusa.com

Friday, March 19

Tidewater Community College will host Transitions, a free half-day conference for women in Virginia Beach from 6-9 p.m., on the Portsmouth Campus. The program includes a motivational speakers and TCC representatives who will answer questions and present information on enrollment, financial aid, placement testing, and what to expect when attending college. Participants are encouraged to discuss their concerns about balancing family, work and school. Interested women may register for the date that best fits their schedule. The Student Activities office will provide refreshments. To register, call 822-7363. To register, call 822-2160

Friday, May 17

The Rockin’ Relay for Life will be held from 7 p.m.-through Saturday, May 20. Mayor Bobby Ralph will be the honorary chair for the event.

On-going

First aid/CPR/AED instructor training at the Suffolk Chapter of the American Red Cross. Call Lisa Harrell 539-6645.

The Lakeland High School Class of 1996 is planning its 10-year class reunion.

Contact Dion Scott

819-3518; e-mail myshizz@yahoo.com; or Darius Bailey 435-4617;

DaGrain2005@yahoo.com.

Sentara Home Care Hospice Program is currently seeking volunteers to share their time and talents with patients and families in the Suffolk area.

Giving just a few hours to be a companion, run an errand, or send a card can make a difference in the lives of others.

To learn more, contact Sharon Royster MSW, volunteer coordinator, at 224-4835 or slroyster@sentara.com.

Suffolk High School Class of ’75 is looking for classmates for a reunion. Call Ann Ruffin 582-0155, Paquita Lawrence 535-4021, or Jackie Williams 376-2275

The John F. Kennedy High School Class of 1973 is planning a gala for its 35th class reunion celebration.

Call Dr. Freddie J. Wiggins, 923-1006 or fax, 923-0566.

Crewmembers from the USS Rio Grande (AOG-3) are planning a reunion in Norfolk in the fall of 2006. Call Richard Hughes (480) 895-5611 or email at dichughes@robsoncom.net

Granby High School, Norfolk, classmates of 1956 are planning for a reunion in the fall.  Contact Kay Neese Smith at 757-874-5897 or e-mail at Granby56Reunion@aol.com or George Steinmetz 757-686-4750, or e-mail at georgeamelia_98@yahoo.com