ARTifacts 5/18/12

Children invited to ‘Kids to Parks Day'

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri State Parks encourages all Missourians to get out in a park on National Kids to Parks Day. Gov. Jay Nixon proclaimed Saturday as Kids to Parks Day in Missouri and encouraged Missourians of all ages to get outside and enjoy state and local parks. Parks provide an opportunity for children to engage in an active lifestyles while experiencing all that nature has to offer. Nixon created the Children in Nature Challenge to encourage activities that introduce children to nature year-round. Communities and families can participate in the challenge. Learn more about the challenge at childreninnature.mo.gov.

Morley, Mo., stages songwriters' festival

MORLEY, Mo. -- The Morley Community Betterment Association is hosting the second annual songwriters' festival at the Morley Community Building this weekend. A portion of the proceeds will go to the betterment association. Scheduled to perform tomorrow, starting at noon, are Bill Booth and Steve Clinton, Les Lindy, Fara McSpadden, Bob Camp, Don Greenwood, Jefferson Fox, Chris Moore, Dennis Gurley, Doug E. Rees and Bruce Zimmerman and Friends. On Sunday, Neal E. Boyd will be the guest host. Matt Erwin and Bob Camp and Friends will perform starting at 11 a.m. There will also be an open mic session. Free admission. Vendor spaces are available for rent. For more information, call Tim Fodge at 573-703-7103 or Karl Ketchum at 573-212-0016.

Roller Girls to stage bout Saturday

The Cape Girardeau Roller Girls will hold their next intraleague event, Fantastic Five on Five, on Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. The Broadway Brawlers and Faultline Fighters will face off. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the bout will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance and are available at PMac Music, Bootheel Harley-Davidson, Pitter's Mud House and online at www.brownpapertickets.com. At the door, tickets are $9. Children 5 and younger get in free. This bout is sponsored by Bootheel Harley-Davidson. A portion of proceeds will benefit Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to Pitter's on Broadway for the after-party. Bout and after-party concessions will be provided by Pitter's.

Western showcase, dance continues

The eigth annual Showcase and Dance, presented by the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest, continues from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and Saturday at Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838. Music will be provided by society bands, as well as other groups. There will be door prizes and grand prize drawings. For more information, call Bob Dolle at 334-1377.

Children's artwork to be presented to city

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will present children's artwork from the 12th annual Children's Arts Festival to members of the Cape Girardeau City Council at 7 p.m. Monday. These art pieces, by children from nine local elementary schools, will be on display in the council chamber at city hall for the next year. Twenty-four pieces of art were selected from entries in the festival for presentation to Missouri legislators during Citizen's Day at the Legislature and for presentation to council members.

-- From staff reports