Region briefs 10/25/07

Danforth lectures on agricultural history

Dr. William H. Danforth will present a lecture titled "The Miracles of Agricultural History" at 7:30 p.m. today in Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall at Southeast Missouri State University. Danforth is the chancellor emeritus of Washington University in St. Louis and the grandson of the founder of the Ralston-Purina Corp. The presentation is the seventh annual Veryl L. Riddle Distinguished History Lecture.

Arts groups offer workshops Monday

The University Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University will host a joint workshop from the Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Alliance for Arts Education on Monday. The workshop is part of the Teaching Artist Project and will provide professional development for those involved in the arts to learn techniques for teaching the arts in schools. The workshop goes from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, free of charge. Space is limited. To register, call Deborah Fisher at 314-753-5805.

KISS tribute band joins Drivin' Rain for concert

KISS tribute band KISS ARMY will perform in concert with local hard rock band Drivin' Rain at the Arena Building on Nov. 10. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30. KISS ARMY portrays KISS circa 1977, with makeup and costumes. The band's Web site says the group is endorsed by the original members of KISS and bills the band as the No. 1 KISS tribute band in the world. Drivin' Rain will open with its first Cape Girardeau concert featuring new members Jason Depro and Michael Stewart. The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with Midwest Productions to present the concert. All proceeds will benefit the Cape Girardeau Parks Development Foundation, which helps pay for any parks and recreation needs that aren't budgeted by the city, said Scott Williams, department recreation division manager. Williams said the concert is another parks fundraising effort similar to spaghetti dinners and appearances by the Cardinal Caravan, but aimed at music lovers. Williams estimates the arena will fit between 1,800 and 2,000 people. For tickets, call the parks department at 335-5421.

Scott County memorial to get working fountain

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County's War Memorial will soon get the finishing touch: a working fountain. According to the Standard-Democrat, Scott County commissioners on Tuesday accepted a bid from Rick Alley Heating and Plumbing of Sikeston, Mo., for work on the memorial's fountain plumbing and catch basin. For a cost of $650 to $750, the company will extend electric and water lines into the core of the monument, according to Joel Evans, county developer. Evans said the fountain's catch basin will also be lined, "probably with a rubber-based skin."

-- From staff reports