Nature photography workshop scheduled

Aaron Horrell from the Painted Wren Gallery at the Bilderbach Art Plaza in Cape Girardeau will host a two-day outdoor photography workshop April 21, in conjunction with photographer Victor Kantchev and the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. The first day of the workshop will be held at General Watkins Conservation Area in Scott County, and the second day will be held at a later date in a computer laboratory to review the best shots. On April 21, participants will leave at 9 a.m. from the Cape Girardeau Nature Center, returning to that location at about 6:45 p.m. Transportation will be provided as part of the cost of the workshop. Horrell requires that each participant have their own camera equipment, and recommends that it be outfitted with a macro lens or an extender attachment suitable for close photography. Cost of the workshop is $50 per participant, due at sign up. Contact the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri at 334-9233 to reserve a spot.  

Birding event in Ill. set for April 21

CHESTER, Ill. -- The Middle Mississippi River Partnership is teaming up with the Chester Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, Southern Illinois and Kaskaskia Valley Audubon Societies, Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, Clifftop and the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam to host the 2012 Birding the Bottomlands Event. The event, to be held April 21, will highlight the Birding the Bottomlands map, which identifies dozens of public birding locations along the middle Mississippi River, in both Illinois and Missouri. The birding field session is from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will give birders of all ages and experiences a chance to view migratory songbirds in their most vibrant colors. Ten locations highlighted on the map, all within a 30-minute drive to Chester, will be staffed for visitors that day. In addition, two locations will offer canoe birding adventures on a first-come, first-served basis. A birding festival will follow from noon to 3 p.m. at Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site. For more information, visit www.midmiss.org.

New pediatric health exhibit opens

Discovery Playhouse will hold a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for its newest exhibit, SoutheastHEALTHy Beginnings. In this exhibit, sponsored by SoutheastHEALTH, children will explore the baby nursery and pediatric doctor's office. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. More information can be found at www.discoveryplayhouse.org.

Circus tickets on sale at Show Me Center

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will make a three-day appearance at the Show Me Center next month. The performance schedule is: 7 p.m. April 27; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 28; and 1 p.m. April 29. The action will begin an hour before show time with a preshow party that's free to all ticket holders. Tickets will go on sale today at the Show Me Center box office and through www.showmecenter.biz. For more information, visit www.ringling.com.

-- From staff reports