Community briefs 05/05/03

Cape County chapter of AARP to meet today

The Cape Girardeau County chapter of AARP 4041 will meet at 1:30 p.m. today at Grace United Methodist Church, Broadway and Caruthers, Cape Girardeau.

The program will be "A Word From Our U.S. Representative" by JoAnn Emerson or a staff member. There will be a drawing for a door prize and refreshments.

United Methodist Women meet Tuesday

Centenary UMW will meet in general session at noon Tuesday with lunch in the lobby of the Family Life Center.

Tammy Gwaltney, executive director, Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence will speak about the work of this agency. Members may bring individual boxes of animal crackers and individual packets of crackers and peanut butter for use at the center.

The UMW executive committee will meet in room 251 of the Family Life Center at 10:30 a.m., also on Tuesday.

Christian Women's Club meeting at Holiday Inn

The Christian Women's Club, an interdenominational organization, will hold a luncheon titled "A Slice of Summer" at noon May 12 at the Holiday Inn. Reflections Restaurant will present new ways of preparing watermelon balls as well as other ideas. Speaker Pam Snowden will present "Refreshing Insights," on dressing for success. Luncheon and day-care reservations may be made be calling Bonnie Macke at 243-2860 by Thursday.

Pampered Chef to raise funds for breast cancer

"Help Whip Cancer" is a campaign for breast cancer early detection and education programs in fighting the disease. Call Emily LaValle for The Pampered Chef at 339-9712 for more information on this May fund raiser for breast cancer.

Blunt, Rams partner to provide children's books

Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt and the St. Louis Rams Community Outreach Team have partnered to provide children's books and funding for programming to the Cape Girardeau Public Library. This includes $400 for books from the Rams Library Collection list, which includes sports-themed books and books chosen by Rams players as childhood favorites, Rams bookplates and $100 for related programming.

The Missouri State Library and the St. Louis Community Outreach Team awarded 18 grants statewide. Grant recipients were chosen based on criteria that included promotion of literacy, community and library need, promotion of community partnerships and quality of programming.

For more information on the St. Louis Rams Foundation, the Rams Library Collection Grant program and Missouri public library grants, call Krista Adams of the Missouri State Library at (573) 526-1256.

Cape painting festival to be held Saturday

The 2003 Cape Street Painting Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Original works or reproductions are welcome. Prizes will be awarded in group and individual categories, as well as a People's Choice Award. Call Craig Thomas at 334-8120 for more information.

Letter carriers holding food drive on Saturday

Letter carriers of Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Scott City and Chaffee post offices will be holding a food drive on Saturday. Canned goods and nonperishable food items can be left for the carriers to pick up on that date. Donations will benefit local food pantries.

Cape Girardeau library to hold Internet class

A four-week Internet training course for seniors will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. starting Wednesday and will continue on May 14, May 21, and May 28. Registration required for future classes. Call 334-5279 for more information.-- From staff reports