Community digest 1/31/08

Valentines, thank-yous for soldiers due Tuesday

Liberty Tax Service has partnered with Valentines for Troops/A Million Thanks to collect valentines for troops and cell phones to be recycled for calling cards for soldiers. Valentines and thank-you notes to soldiers may be dropped off at Liberty Tax Service, 2145 William St. in Cape Girardeau by Tuesday. Glitter cards are prohibited. Cell phones, iPods and toner cartridges for recycling can be dropped off at the same location for use in providing soldier calling cards.

Landowner workshop to be held at Nature Center

A landowner workshop will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Conservation Campus Nature Center. Learn how to develop old fields, idle areas and conservation reserve program lands to improve small-game habitat and turkey brood production. The workshop is for ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Call 290-5218 for more information.

Meeting on upcoming Italy trip set for Feb. 7

The Friends of Saint Francis will hold an meeting on its trip to Italy at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Saint Francis Conference Center. Globus Group business development manager Amber Betts will present a slide show and be available to answer questions. Individuals who sign up on or before Feb. 7 will receive a $100 discount per traveler. To register, call Pat Brase at 331-5133.

Child ID program to be held at Coad Chevrolet

A free child identification program sponsored by St. Mark's 93 in Cape Girardeau and Trowel Lodge No. 440 in Marble Hill, Mo., will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at Coad Chevrolet, 517 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. For more information, call Dave Rutherford at 382-3375 or 335-5581.

Telethon Idol auditions to be held at mall

Registration for open auditions for the third annual Telethon Idol will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 9 at West Park Mall. Auditions are from 1 to 3 p.m. The entry fee at registration will benefit this year's 28th annual telethon. Contestants ages 14 and older are encouraged to showcase their talent. Final selection will be announced around 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the mall. Successful candidates will perform live at the Kenny Roger's Children's Center Telethon on March 15 and 16 at Sikeston Field House, competing for cash prizes. For more information, call 573-472-0397, extension 202, or visit www.kennyrogerscenter.org.

St. Ambrose to hold euchre tournament

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- The Daughters of St. Ambrose are sponsoring a euchre tournament Feb. 17 at the parish center. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Play will begin at 1 p.m. Chili and chicken noodle soup will be available.

League of Women Voters to hear speech on climate

The League of Women Voters will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Community Caring Council, 937 Broadway in Cape Girardeau (rear entrance). Kathy Conway will speak on how people should respond to climate change. Conway is co-facilitator for the SEMO Climate Protection Initiative. For more information, call 651-8429.

-- From staff reports