Community digest 5/8/03

PWP to hold orientation meeting today

An orientation meeting for Parents Without Partners will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at Dairy Queen (near Schnucks) in Cape Girardeau.

Mom's Day 3K set for Saturday in Jackson

Celebrate motherhood, health and family fitness at 8 a.m. Saturday at Jackson City Park. The starting point is at the city pool. Run, walk, rollerblade or push a stroller on this 3K course (approximately 1.85 miles). There is no fee. Door prizes will be provided by High Street Station, The Fantasticks, Dalton Florist, Cutting Edge, Jackson Family Barber Shop, B-Tan and more. The event is co-sponsored by Jackson Parks and Recreation and Main Street Family Fitness Center. To register, call or stop by the Main Street fitness center at 410 W. Main St., Jackson, 243-2211.

Annual spring Anna flea market rescheduled

The 29th annual spring Anna flea market scheduled for Saturday at the Anna, Ill., city park, has been canceled because of flooding at the fairgrounds and the forecast for more severe thunderstorms all week.

The event, sponsored by the Union County Historical Society, has been rescheduled for June 7. For more information call (618) 893-2567 or (618) 893-2067.

Community garage sale Saturday at Osage Centre

A big spring garage sale will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Osage Community Centre.

God bless America rally to be held Saturday

A spiritual, patriotic and educational God bless America rally will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Shawnee Community College Atrium. Dean Stevenson will speak at the rally, and there will be inspirational music and singing. A free-will offering will be taken. No tickets or reservations are required. Call (618) 995-9353 for more information.

Police officers guests on 'Independently Speaking'

The next guests on "Independently Speaking" will be Sgt. Rick Schmidt and Patrolman Jason Selzer of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. They will be speaking about their experience as players in the Semo Alliance for Disability Indepedence's second annual Wheelchair Benefit Basketball Game. They will be playing the Rolling Grizzlies wheelchair basketball team from Memphis, Tenn. The program will air at 5:30 a.m. Sunday on WDKA-TV-49 (Channel 17 on cable) and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, May 13 and 27, on Cable Access Channel 5.

Learn to 'Bike Smart' with free safety program

A bike safety course with fun activities and refreshments will be held hourly from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Southeast Missouri Hospital's parking garage, 1701 Lacey St., Cape Girardeau. Preregistration is required for this free safety program. Call 335-7908.

The course is open to students in grades 1 to 5. Participants should bring their bike or scooter and an adult to the event. If you have a helmet bring it too. The first 100 to register will receive a free bicycle helmet.

-- From staff reports