A fall evening five-week course will start at 7 p.m., in the Tidewater Genealogy Society Library, 1884 Warwick County Courthouse located at 14415 Courthouse Way, Newport News. The cost is $25.  The course consists of five lessons: Genealogy Basics, Family and Home Sources, Genealogy Research, Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death), and 1790-1930 Census Records. Reservations required by Feb. 23.  To register, send check to TGS, 14415 Old Courthouse Way, Newport News, Va. 23608. For additional information e-mail JSample763@aol.com, call 988-1055 and leave message, or check the TGS web site at www.rootsweb.com/~vatgs.

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

The Women’s Department of Gates Of Heaven C.O.G.I.C., 112 Beech St., will have its annual women’s conference at 7:30 p.m. nightly from March 1-3. The speaker will be Evangelist Barbara Jean Olds from St. Stephens C.O.G.I.C., Virginia Beach. The theme is “No More Excuses.” Call the church at 539-3856 for information.

Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department will sell BBQ Plates for take-out only from 5-7 p.m. $6 donation, contact any CVFD member. This is annual fund raiser.

Saturday, March 4

The Suffolk Shrine Club, 500 Elizabeth St., will hold a fish fry from 4-7 p.m. Eat-in or take-out available. Price: $7, children 8 and younger are free.

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.

A free class in &uot;Successful Camellia & Azalea Growing&uot; will be presented by Jeff

Williamson from 10-11:30 a.m. Another free class in &uot;Growing Phals. As Houseplants&uot; will be presented from 2-3:30 p.m. Both classes will be at Smithfield Gardens, Inc., 1869 Bridge Road, across from Cedar Point. Course is limited to 30 people. Call 238-2511 or 399-4331 to reserve space.

Pleasant Union Baptist Church, 215 Webb Street, is sponsoring a Youth Conference 2006, featuring an appearance by the &uot;Lost Boys&uot; of the Sudan, who are survivors of the civil war in Sudan. All area children and youth are invited to attend to hear a message of importance to them. Any attire is suitable. The program will be presented from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 4. Call Rev. N. P. Chambers at 934-0191.

The East Suffolk High School Alumni Association will NOT meet on March 4 as previously listed. It will meet again in April. The Alumni Association Reunion is scheduled for Aug. 3-6 and is approximately 95% complete. For more information, call Jasper L. Mullen at 986-2322.

St. Paul RZUA Church is sponsoring a Praise Dance Extravaganza and Play (I Am Free) at the Open Door Church, 817 Kings Fork Rd, at 3:30 p.m.

Several churches will be participating in the dances. The public is invited.Tickets are $10, and $5 for children. Call 934-2935 or 855-7284.

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

Monday, March 6

The East Suffolk Federated Civic League will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Stop Training Center, 125 Tynes St. Shirley Christian is president. Call (757) 925-4434 for more information.

There will be a free BP and Diabetes screening at the Suffolk Health Department, 1217 N. Main st. from 8 a.m. – noon. $10 for cholesterol check

Tuesday, March 7

The Nansemond-Suffolk Branch of the NAACP will meet at the East Suffolk Community Center, 134 S. 6th St, at 7 p.m. The executive committee meets at 6 p.m. Call Charles Christian at 539-6760

Wednesday, March 8

The Tchaikovsky Ballet and Orchestra will present Sleeping Beauty at 7:30 p.m. at Willett Hall, 3701 Willett Drive, Portsmouth (behind Maryview Medical center). The prestigious group is currently touring the United States, and will be joined by 30 students from the Virginia Ballet Theatre Academy. Tickets $25-$45 at the Willett Hall box office or Ticketmaster.

American Red Cross adult CPR course will be given at the West End Baptist Church, 15 St. James Ave. ( W. Washington and St. James), from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. $10 if pre registered by March 3, $15 at door. Call 539-6645.

The Lake Kilby Garden Club will meet at 2 p.m. at the home of Sarah Burford, 160 Riverpoint Dr. Each member is asked to bring an arrangement for judging. Exhibit of the day will be Spring Flowers and/or Shrubs in a Triangle.

Thursday, March 9

Congressman Randy Forbes’ district field representative will hold open office hours on a first come, first served basis from 2-3p.m. in the conference room of the Suffolk Office of Economic development at 127 E. Washington St., suite 200. Call 382-0080.

The East Suffolk Gardens Civic League will meet at 7 p.m. at the Action Community Center, 134 S. 6th St. William Goodman is president. Call (757) 539-0726 for more information.

The Garden Club of Norfolk, the Virginia Beach Garden Club, and the Virginia Beach Public Libraries present the Tidewater Garden Symposium at the Virginia Beach Central Library (4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.). There will be nationally known speakers on a variety of gardening topics. The one-day seminar, from 8:55 a.m. n 3 p.m., includes a box lunch, handouts, and other materials, for $45. Call 422-1618.

Friday, March 10

Today is the deadline for submitting nominations for Suffolk’s First Citizen Award, which is now presented annually by the Suffolk Rotary Club. Applications can be picked up at the Suffolk Visitor Center at 321 N. Main Street; at BB&T branches at 1525 N. Main St., 1512 Holland Rd., and 101 E. Washington St.; and at Farmers Bank branches at 3100 Godwin Blvd., and 1008 W. Washington St.

Boy Scout Troop 30 will have a fund raising BBQ dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food is catered by Leon Nixon Catering, consisting of pork barbeque, baked beans, coleslaw, and hushpuppies. Eat in or take out: $7 per dinner. Free lunch delivery on 5 or more orders. Call Karen 642-0773.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension invites all farmers in southeast Virginia, and northeast North Carolina to attend a Buffet Breakfast at Bunny’s Restaurant, 1901 Wilroy Rd., at 7:30 a.m. There will be a one hour program covering &uot;Corn, Soybean, Cotton and Peanut Markets&uot;. Strategies and planting decisions along with a one hour discussion will be covered. Pre-registration is required. Call 923-2050 to register

Saturday, March 11

The Constantia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 11 a.m. at the Village at Woods Edge, Franklin, with Mrs. J. Leonard Morgan and Mrs. J. T. Coffman.

Robert Cantrell, Native American will be the speaker. Call Rexford Cotton at 539-7138.

Suffolk Elks Lodge no. 685 will have a herring breakfast from 8am-10am.

Cost for the breakfast is $6.

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

Tuesday, March 14

A new fine arts gallery, Red Thread Studio, is open in downtown at 153 W. Washington St., and is presenting a show in the gallery that ends today, with masks, costumes and culture. Call 923-9832.

Wednesday, March 15

There will be bus trip to Midway Slots, departing at 7 a.m. from the Food Lion on Portsmouth Boulevard. The Walton Family sponsors the trip, leaving Midway at 6 p.m., and the cost is $30. Call 237-2640, 488-1337, 488-0053, 338-2678, or 558-0384.

The Suffolk Health Department will offer a free blood pressure screening in Suffolk Towers Apartments, Main Lobby, 181 N. Main St., from 2-3 p.m.

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.

Tuesday, March 21

The Suffolk Health Department will offer free blood pressure screening at Chorey Park Apartments, 804 W. Constance Rd, in the main lobby, from 2-3 p.m.

Friday, March 24

The Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. presents the 16th annual Whitney M. Young Jr. dinner at the Marriot Norfolk Waterside, 235 E, Main St., Norfolk, activities beginning at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and dance at 9 p.m. Call 627-0864.

Sunday, March 26

Building Suffolk will have an orientation meeting to explain the application process for applying for the new home to be completed on Osceola Ave. The meeting will be held at Ed’s Place (Old Dining Room) on Pinner Street, at 7 p.m. (No food will be provided.) Call 235-2151

Wednesday, March 29

The Suffolk Health Department will offer free blood pressure and diabetes screening from 10 a.m.-noon at the Suffolk Senior Center, 350 N. Main St.

Saturday, April 1

The Easter Egg Factory at Beech Grove United Methodist Church closes its order taking for delicious hand rolled, dipped and decorated Easter egg candy – butter cream, coconut, fruit and nut, or peanut butter. Call or visit the church at 4251 Driver Lane in Driver. 537-8753

Ten Star All Star Basketball Camp offers a free brochure b y calling 704-373-0873, anytime. There are camps conveniently located nationwide, and they are attended by players from all 50 states. College scholarships are possible for those selected to the All-American team. Camps are open to boys and girls from 10-19 years old, and are by invitation only.

There will be a shopping trip to New York leaving from St. Paul RZUA Church. Cost is $55. For more information contact Dorothy Foster at 934-7759, or Verona Elam at 465-5783.

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

Hall Place Civic League, Inc. meetings are held the 1st Thursday of every month at the John Constance House, located behind Baker Funeral Home on the corner of W. Washington Street and Linden Avenue. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. All Hall Place Suffolk residents are encouraged to attend; potential new members and guests are always welcome. For membership information or if you have questions please contact Civic League President Tara Stainback at (757) 435-7565.