Community briefs 03/10/03

Quarter horse group recruiting members

There will be a special meeting of the SEMO Foundation Quarter Horse Registry at 5 p.m. March 29 at the Masonic Lodge in Greenville, Mo. The purpose of the meeting is to recruit new members and provide prospective members with information about its purpose. Regular meetings are held the third Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Family Clinic in Greenville. E-mail m_carroll@usa.com or call (573) 756-7815 or (573) 495-2020 for more information.

The FQHR has approved a new affiliate to serve enthusiasts in the southeast part of the state. The purpose of the Foundation Quarter Horse Registry is to preserve, protect, and perpetuate quarter horse bloodlines.

Parents group plans events this week

Parents Without Partners will attend the Southeast Missouri State University presentation of "European Odyssey" from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Call 335-0797 for more information.

The group will attend line dance lessons at Circle S Saddle from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Court of honor opening at Westfield mall

Westfield Shoppingtown West Park will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening a Court of Honor military tribute area at 5 p.m. Monday at the Pasta House court.

A Marine honor guard will post the colors, and the audience will be invited to join in and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson, Kimberly Brewer, regional vice president of Westfield Corporation, and other area dignitaries are scheduled to provide brief remarks about the project.

The project pays tribute to those in the armed services by listing their names on a free-standing tribute wall. Additionally, a Messages to the Military wall will display cards, letters, children's artwork and other items expressing the community's support and encouragement. A large scroll invites visitors to the area to pen words of support. All messages will be forwarded to those currently serving.

For more information, call 339-1333.

Blood drive to be held in Jackson next week

A blood drive will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 17 at the American Legion Hall in Jackson.

League of Women Voters to examine local needs

The public is invited to meet with members of the League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri in an examination and assessment of local emergency services at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 804 N. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau.

The rescheduled meeting will have local authorities from various emergency agencies in a panel discussion led by league member, Martha Vandivort. The panel will discuss the availability of services as well as needs for improvement, particularly in communication.

Panel members include Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center; Ruth Dockins, public information director for the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging; Mark Hashheider, interim fire chief in Cape Girardeau; and Larry Plunkett of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Team captains will meet, plan July cancer relay

Team captains are invited to enjoy good food, pick up packets and supplies and help in the planning of this year's Relay for Life cancer benefit at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Plaza Conference Center (Holiday Inn Convention Center).

The Relay for Life will be held from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. July 11 to 12 at Cape County Park North.

Benefit for St. Jude's to be held Friday

Local celebrities including Mayor Jay Knudtson, KFVS 12 personalities, members of the Cape Girardeau fire and police department and staff from the Southeast Missourian will be participating in Hoop It Up for St. Jude's at 7 p.m. Friday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or at Semo.Net at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park in Cape Girardeau and Philipps Carpet & Decorating in Jackson.

Friends of the NRA to hold annual banquet

The Cape Area Friends of NRA will hold its annual banquet on March 22. Social hour will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The banquet will be at the Bavarian Halle, 247 Drury Lane (Interstate 55 exit 105 at U.S. 61), Jackson.

To take advantage of the advance ticket discount, tickets must be purchased before March 18. For more information, call Dale Vogelsang at 243-3404 or Leon Dickerson at 243-4133.

Jackson chamber meeting this week

A Jackson Chamber of Commerce board meeting will be held at noon Wednesday in the chamber conference room.

The membership committee will meet at 7:30 a.m. Friday at Burger King.

ABWA sponsoring candidate meeting

The Jacksonian Charter Chapter of American Business Women's Association will sponsor Meet the School Board Candidate at 7 p.m. March 24 in the Jackson High School auditorium.

The event is open to the public.

-- From staff reports