ARTifacts 7/9/10

Sikeston celebrates 150th birthday

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston will be celebrating its 150th birthday starting with a mayor's welcome at 10:30 a.m. July 17. A 150-foot-long birthday cake and ice cream will follow at 11. Other events include a 150-balloon release, a history walk, a longest beard contest, a dunking booth and live music by Flashback. The third annual Back to the '50s Car Show, sponsored by the Historic Downtown Development Group, will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The birthday bash is free.

Learn the basics of nature photography

Nature photographer Charlie Wilson will teach photography techniques during a nature photography workshop at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. There will be a photography field session after the presentation. Participants should bring their own camera and other equipment. Participants must be at least 18 years old. The workshop is free, but registration is required. Participants are asked to bring water and/or a snack, because it will not be provided. The workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at 2289 County Park Road in Cape County Park North. To register or for more information, call the Nature Center at 290-5218.

Uptown Jackson car show Saturday

The Jackson Community Outreach and the River City Rodders are hosting Cruisin' Uptown Jackson, a recurring car show on the second Saturday of the month through September. The show is open to all kinds of cars and trucks, including antique, special-interest and muscle. The car show is from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday in uptown Jackson.

-- From staff reports