Area calendar

Basketball

• Free-throw competition: The Knights of Columbus will host its annual free-throw championship at 1 p.m. today at the Immaculate Conception gymnasium in Jackson. The competition is for boys and girls ages 10 to 14. Registration will be from noon to 1 p.m. the day of the competition. Participants must have proof of age and written parental consent. Info: Ken Hotop, 243-1000, 579-0196.
• Mizzou watch party: The Southeast Missouri Black and Gold chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association will host a watch party at Jimmi's Restaurant and Bar in Cape Girardeau on Monday. The Tigers take on Kansas, with the game scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Spirit items and door prizes will be available. Info: Dale Gerecke, 334-0555.

Outdoors

• Grow Native clinic: The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a workshop about native plants at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on March 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will learn about natural communities, how to match plants to local conditions, how to establish a prairie planting and how to select trees for urban landscapes. Registration: $35. Cost includes the workshop, lunch and a copy of the book, "Tried and True: Missouri Native Plants for Your Yard." Info: 290-5218.

Running

• Presidents' Day run: The Allen Laws Oliver Chapter of the Missouri Society of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution will sponsor the Presidents' Day 5K run Feb. 16 beginning at Red Star Baptist Church. Registration is set for 7:15 to 7:45 a.m., with the run starting at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $12 by Feb. 14 or $15 race day. Send registration fee: 2435 Glenridge, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702. Info: 576-6880.
• Super Kids Race Day: The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual Super Kids Race Day on Feb. 10 at the Southeast Missouri State Student Recreation Center. The event, which begins at 12:45 p.m., is for boys and girls from crawlers to age 15. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. Adults will be included for the first time in an open 1-mile race for all ages. Participants will receive a T-shirt and a ribbon. Cost: $8 by Friday, $12 after Friday. Info: 335-5421.
• Race for the Cure run: The Chaffee High School FCCLA and FBLA will host its second annual Race for the Cure 5K on Feb. 23 at the high school activity center parking lot. The race begins at 9 a.m. Cost: $10 before Feb. 16, $15 after, including from 8 to 8:45 a.m. on race day. Awards will be presented to winners and age division champions. Info or to register: Travis Calkins, 579-4939.

Softball

• Snowball tournament: The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will host the inaugural Snowball Softball Tournament on Feb. 16 at Shawnee Park Sports Complex. The double-elimination event is open to men's and coed slow-pitch teams. Cost: $100. Deadline: Feb. 13. Info: Chris, 334-2523.

Tennis

• Juniors tournament: Class Act Family Fitness will host the Jammin' Juniors tennis tournament Saturday and Feb. 10. USTA rules and scoring will be used. There will be four girls divisions and four boys divisions, based on age. Cost: $20 for the first event, $12 for second event. Deadline: Wednesday. Info: Donna Ryan, 332-1614.

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