Food donations can get you a break on Internet

Clas Net has teamed up with The Salvation Army to provide canned food for its pantry. Individuals who bring five non-perishable food items to Clas Net Inc., 340 S. Broadview, Cape Girardeau, can receive $5 off their Internet service. The program continues until Nov. 21. Food will be distributed in time for the holiday season. For more information call 334-5529.

Arts council prepares for Chairs for Charity event

At 7 p.m. today at Jackson City Hall the Jackson Area Arts Council will hold a meeting to discuss the Chairs for Charity program, the Arts Council newsletter, Suncatcher Theatre update and The Arts Council holiday party.

For more information contact the Jackson Parks and Recreation Department at 204-8848.

VanGennip Memorial Trail Ride on tap for Saturday

The Third Annual VanGennip Memorial Trail Ride begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and lasts approximately three hours. All proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Missouri and Southeast Hospital Day Camp.

Take Highway 61 North, right to Highway C, right to County Route 532 (three miles), left to County Road 522 and left at the first driveway at the bottom of the hill to the Caruso Farm.

A hot dog dinner and raffle drawing will be held following the ride. Donations accepted. For more information contact Rhonda McClanahan at 243-2295 or Jan Van Gennip at 243-5779.

Oran Knights sponsoring Halloween carnival Friday

From 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday a Halloween carnival will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Oran, Mo.

St. Ambrose holds dinner auction in Chaffee

Doors for the St. Ambrose Dinner Auction open at 5 p.m. Saturday. The auction begins at 7 p.m. at the VFW in Chaffee, Mo.

St. Denis calls for Winter Wonderland vendors

Vendors and crafters are needed for St. Denis Parish Center's Fourth Annual Winter Wonderland of Treasures from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Contact Judy at 545-4453 for more information. Deadline is Nov. 21. Proceeds help support the school.

Hound-O-Ween going to the dogs at K-9 center

At 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 the K-9 Training Center, 616 W. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, will hold its second annual Hound-O-Ween Costume Party. Bring your dog in costume. Human costumes encouraged. Prizes for the best costume provided by PETCO. For more information call Larry Stone at 243-7187 or K-9 Training Center at 204-8080.

Public welcomed at Cape writers symposium

CapeSpeak: Voices from Home, a writer's symposium, will begin at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday at Central High School library. The public is invited to listen to presentations made by community professionals and students.

The symposium opens with Heidi Hall, managing editor of the Southeast Missourian, and moderator Pat Kuper, English teacher, followed by Joe Sullivan, Southeast Missourian editor, moderated by Mike Cowan, Cape High School principal. Hall and Sullivan will share their published work and answer questions.

Student authors will speak at 11:50 a.m. with moderation by Crystal Cerney, English teacher. David Crowe, photographer, will follow at 12:40 p.m., moderated by Al Nicolai, English teacher and winner of the photography contest.

At 1:30 p.m., "voice of the Tigers" Todd Bonacki will deliver a presentation on how he prepares for a radio broadcast. Moderator will be Darrick Smith, athletic director.

Community members are encouraged to call librarian Julia Jorgensen at 335-8228 by Friday so that lunch can be provided.

Cape library announces November opportunities

From 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 "Sign Talker," by James Alexander Thom will be on the Great Books 2003 agenda.

At 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 children ages 3 to 7 are invited to the "I Can Be ..." presentation at the library. Children will meet a crew of local firemen who will come equipped with the fire truck to discuss their jobs and share safety tips. Stories and games will be part of the fun. Look for the "I Can Be ..." series monthly at the library. For more information call 334-5279 or stop by 711 N. Clark. No registration required.

At 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 Children's Book Week will be celebrated by sharing favorite children's stories. Children ages 3 to 7 are invited to join the staff in dressing up as a favorite book character. All in attendance will receive a door prize. Call 243-5279 for reservations so there will be enough cake and ice cream for everyone.

'Biggest Horse Show' to support Marble Hill youth

Sponsored by the Marble Hill Optimist Club the "Biggest Horse Show" will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at Marble Hill Park, Marble Hill, Mo. Proceeds support youth activities in the community. Concession stand available.

Children under 12 free. For more information contact Tom Houchins at 238-4124, Bill Rives at 238-4576 or David Hughes at 238-2893.

Parents Without Partners dancing on Saturday

From 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday a single's dance sponsored by Parents Without Partners will be held at VFW Hall, Cape Girardeau. Open to the public.

Residents can now apply for heating assistance

Low income residents facing the challenge of paying home heating bills through the winter can now apply for assistance from East Missouri Action Agency Inc.

Eligibility for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program is based on household income, resources and number of people living in the home. EMAA began taking applications Monday and will continue to take applications through March 31, 2004, if funds remain available. Their office, located at 1111 Linden St., Cape Girardeau, will accept applications from residents of Cape Girardeau County.

The locally governed, nonprofit community action agencies provide a variety of services in the areas of housing, employment, education, childcare and health care to help low-income families become self sufficient. In another service to help make energy costs more affordable, agencies offer home weatherization assistance to improve a home's energy efficiency.

Get picture with Santa and save a puppy

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 Sunny Hill Pet Center, 335 S. Christine, Cape Girardeau, will hold a photo opportunity for pet owners. All proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. The pet owner receives a 4-by-6 print and the negative. Please call 334-5837 to schedule an appointment.

Riverside library gives paperbacks to youth

Teen Read Week, open to young adults 9 to 16, will be celebrated this week with a drawing for paperback books. Young adults are encouraged to sign up each time they visit the library.

At 3:30 p.m. Friday an after school adventure titled, "Big Boo Revue," complete with spooky tales, crafts and fun, will be held at Riverside Regional Library.

-- From staff reports