Daily Events

AREA BLOOD DRIVES: United Blood Services of Minot has numerous blood drives in March. Appointments to donate blood should be made ahead of time. Following is the schedule March 23-25 and people to contact: Cando, March 23, noon to 6 p.m., Towner County Medical Center Conference Room, call Gladys Freund at 968-3440 or 303-0461; Belcourt community, March 24, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Burdick Memorial Hospital, call the hospital at 477-6111; Bottineau Ambulance Service Building, March 25, noon to 6 p.m., call Mona Johnson at 263-4998.

ROYALTY MEETINGS: The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service of Denver will conduct area royalty meetings March 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Berthold Agency office in New Town; and March 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Turtle Mountain Agency Office, Office of Special Trustee for American Indians building in Belcourt. For more information, call Tom Piccirilli, Wanda Lilly or Mike Clerkin at 1-800-982-3226.

GRANT APPLICATIONS: Souris Valley United Way now has grant applications for 2010 funding available. The deadline to apply is March 26. Non-profit organizations serving social and human service needs in Ward County are encouraged to apply. Funding priority will be given to those programs which meet the vision and mission of Souris Valley United Way. Call 839-2994 for more information and to obtain grant application forms.

COMMUNITY THEATER: The Mouse River Players Community Theatre will present "Bed Bugs," featuring actors ages 7 and older, and "Hard Candy," featuring actors ags 13 and older, March 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and March 29 at 2 p.m. in the Mouse River Players' Arlene Saugstad Theater downtown, 115-1st St. SE. "Bed Bugs" is directed by Amy Jenkins. "Hard Candy" is directed by Jay Jenkins. These plays are not a part of the season ticket package. Admission is $5 with preschoolers admitted for free. Reservations are not required. Call 838-3939 for more information.

ICE SHOW: The Magic City Figure Skating club will present its 31st Annual Ice Show, "Under the Sea," March 28 at 7 p.m. and March 29 at 2 p.m. in Maysa Arena. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted for free. Advance tickets are available from any skating member, at Herbergers and at Peggy's Gift Shoppe in downtown Minot.

SCANDINAVIAN BANQUET: The Scandinavian Heritage Association's Annual Banquet will be March 28 in the Holiday Inn-Riverside, Minot. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with a silent auction and social hour. Dinner and the program will follow at 7 p.m. Danish students will speak and there will be a silent auction. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $15 each. Call 852-9161 for reservations.

STONE LITHOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: The Northwest Art Center and Minot State University Art Department will host a workshop on stone lithography presented by Peter Kilian, art department coordinator from Northern State University, Aberdeen, S.D., March 28-29. The workshop is open to the public and MSU students. Sessions will run from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. March 28 and from 1 to 5 p.m. March 29 in Room 215, Hartnett Hall, at MSU. There is no charge for MSU students; a $25 materials fee will be charged for non-MSU participants. Enrollment is limited. To preregister, call Avis Veikley at 858-2364 or Doug Pfliger at 858-3107. This program is funded in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts.

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION NOMINEES: Nominees are now being accepted for the Minot YWCA's 2009 Women of Distinction Awards Banquet. The nominations are due March 20 and the banquet will be April 21 in the Holiday Inn-Riverside in Minot. Women may be nominated in the following categories: professional; business/industry; community service/public service; military-enlisted; military-officer; and student. Call the YWCA for nomination forms at 838-1812 or send e-mail to debywca@srt.com.

BASEBALL PANCAKE FUNDRAISER: The Annual Magic City Youth Baseball Pancake Breakfast will be March 29 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Minot Moose Lodge. The cost is $5 per person and includes all the pancakes and sausage you can eat. Tickets may be purchased from any youth baseball player or at the door.

ARCHERY PROGRAM: "Guys Nite at the Library" will be March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Minot Public Library's Imagination Station. The program is for dads and their children. A representative from Archer's Elite will be on hand to provide information on some of the new archery equipment. For more information, call the Children's Library at 838-0606.

DRIVING COURSE: The next American Association of Retired Persons Driver Safety Program for people age 50 and older, "55 Alive," will be offered April 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Parker Senior Center. People must call the center at 852-0561 to preregister. The class is sponsored by the AARP Chapter No. 522 of Minot.

CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION: The Minot Adult Learning Center will offer four sessions to help people prepare for becoming a U.S. citizen. The sessions are designed for non-native speakers of English. They feature simple English using a variety of visual aids that highlight important history and government facts about the United States. The classes will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon April 1, 8, 15 and 22. Call 857-4488 for more information or to preregister.

COMMUNITY THEATER AUDITIONS: Mouse River Players Community Theatre will hold auditions for "Pollyanna" April 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and April 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Arlene Theater downtown at 115-1st St. SE. Director Holly Eidsness is seeking women ages 16 and up, men ages 16 and up, and children ages 10-15. A prepared script is not required. Backstage and tech support help is also needed. The play will be performed May 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and May 17 at 2 p.m. in the Arlene Theater. For more information call 838-3939.

MATS THEATER: The Minot Area Theatrical Society will present "I Ought to be in Pictures," a dramatic comedy by Neil Simon, April 2-5 in the Vegas Motel Ballroom in Minot. April 2 will be a show only performance at 7 p.m. Dinner theaters will be April 3-4 at 7 p.m. and lunch theater will be April 5 at 1 p.m. The Thursday show only prices are $8 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children. The Friday and Saturday prices are $20 per person. The Sunday price is $15 per person. Reservations are required for the dinner shows. Call 852-2290 Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. or go online to (www.minottheater.com/shows.htm). The Vegas Motel or Sevens Bar and Restaurant is not taking reservations.

MARCH OF DIMES FUNDRAISER: The March of Dimes March for Babies will be April 4 in Minot. Registration will be at 9 a.m. with the walk at 10 a.m. in Jim Hill Middle School, 1000-6th St. SW. The March for Babies is the March of Dimes' biggest fundraiser. In North Dakota, one out of nine babies are born premature. Visit the Web site at (www.marchofdimes.com/northdakota) or call 235-5530 for more information.

WILLISTON MARTIAL ARTS OPEN: Williston's 11th Annual "Power Within" Martial Arts Open will be April 4, with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the event at 10:30 a.m., in Williston's New Middle School. The event is for all styles of martial arts and for all ages of competitors. Interested competitors should call Rich or Ann Breslin at 572-1973 or 770-4534. The charge to attend will be $3 for adults and $2 for students. Children ages 6 and under will be admitted for free.

PAGEANT DEADLINE: Entries are now being accepted for the North Dakota and Minnesota Our Little Miss Pageant April 18-19 in the Holiday Inn-Riverside in Minot. The deadline to enter is April 8. This organization has existed for 47 years but this is the first time it will be held in North Dakota The competition is open to all North Dakota and Minnesota girls, infants through age 17. Contestants may win scholarships, prizes, awards and the entry fee to enter the world competition in Orlando, Fla. Call Chastity Askvig at 468-5986 or send her e-mail at chastityolmnd@srt.com. Visit the Web sites for more information at (www.ndourlittlemiss.com) or (www.ourlittlemiss.com)

EASTER BUNNY WALK: The Downtown Business and Professional Association of Minot will hold an Easter Bunny Walk for preschool-age children April 9 from 10 a.m. to noon in downtown Minot. Maps will be available at several locations in downtown Minot. Participating businesses will have an Easter egg poster in their windows. Call 839-8928 for more information.

"AN EVENING TO PAWS" GALA: The Souris Valley Animal Shelter's "An Evening to Paws" Gala will be April 18 in the Grand International Inn. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with a silent auction from 5 to 6:30 p.m. There will be a buffet dinner at 6:15 p.m. and live auction at 7 p.m. Call Susan at 839-6770, stopy by the shelter at 1935-20th Ave. SE or visit the Web site at (www.svaspets.com) for ticket information.

OUR LADY OF GRACE INFORMATION: Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot will celebrate its 50th year anniversary this summer. If you are a charter member or know of someone who is, call 240-5303. The church is preparing a roster of its charter members and would like to include all charter members.

CPR CLASS: The Minot Family YMCA offers a CPR-PR course the second Saturday of each month. The cost for the class is $75. People must preregister for the class. Call the Y at 852-0141 for preregistration information.

ART ALA CARTE: The Taube Museum of Art, 2 N. Main St., is sponsoring "Art Ala Carte Saturdays", an all-you-can-eat lunch including dessert and beverage, and children's art activities April 11 and May 2. The lunches are from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Following is the schedule: Hamburgers and fries will be served April 11 and tacos will be served May 2. The lunches are designed for children of all ages. Pay at the door prices are $7 for Taube members and $10 for nonmembers; $24 for a member family of up to four people and $30 for a family of up to four people; and $5 for children ages 10 and under. Children must purchase a lunch ticket to participate in the art activities. Call 838-4445 for more information.

UMPIRE MEETING: A mandatory meeting and registration for anyone interested in umpiring adult Amateur Softball Association summer softball will be April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Minot Municipal Auditorium, Room 301.

GARRISON DAM TOURS: Scheduled tours of the Garrison Dam Power Plant will be given to schools and other large groups Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at either 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Tours will include the generator floor, turbines, penstocks and tailrace areas. Purses, cameras, diaper bags and cell phones are not allowed because of security requirements. All people over age 18 will need identification. To schedule a tour, call Linda Phelps at 654-7411, extension 246.

WILLISTON THEATER: Entertainment, Inc! of Williston will present the musical comedy "The Pajama Game" May 8-10 and May 14-17 in the Old Armory Theater in Williston. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. except for Sundays, when they are at 2:30 p.m., Doors open a half hour before show time. Call 577-3179 for reservations and more information or visit the Web site at (www.entertainmentinc.org).

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WALK: The Walk MS Minot will be May 9 at Minot State University Dome. Registration starts at 9 a.m, and the three-mile walk will start at 10 a.m. People may form a team or walk as an individual. For more information or to register, visit the Web site at (www.myMSwalk.org) or call 1-800-344-4867.

ADULT LEARNING REGISTRATION: The Minot Adult Learning Center will conduct registration for summer school May 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Summer school will be held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon May 26 through June 18 at the center at 1609-4th Ave. NW. Call 857-4488 for more information.

LIBRARY HOME DELIVERY: The Minot Public Library offers home delivery through the library's Special Services Program. The program is for people who are homebound, who have a visual or physical disability or who live in a nursing home or assisted living center. The collection includes books in regular or large print format and audiobooks on cassette and compact disks and music CDs or cassettes. Call Kathy or Jeanne at 852-1045 for more information.

ART NEEDED: Individuals or organizations with information, art or collections to share are encouraged to contact the Minot Public Library about lobby display.

CLUBS DIRECTORY: The 28th edition of the Clubs and Organizations Directory is available for the public for $3 per directory. The directory lists clubs and organizations including human service agencies in the Minot area, contact persons, with addresses and phone numbers. People may purchase the directory at the Minot Public Library's Information and Referral Center Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The directory is published annually. Club presidents and members are asked to submit updated information for the 29th edition of the directory, which will be published later. Call Debbie at the library's Information and Referral office at 852-0333 for more information. Additional information is also available from that office including meeting room availability in the Minot area, day-care center listings, library and community happenings and consumer information.

INFORMATION SERVICES: The Information and Referral office is an information service provided by the Minot Public Library. The mission of the office is to gather information of vital concern and to provide the information to those who need it. The primary function is to link people in need of information with the appropriate organization or agency that can meet their needs. The Information and Referral Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact Debbie at 852-0333 if you have questions or stop by at 516-2nd Ave SW.

DRIVERS NEEDED: The North Dakota Association for the Disabled in Minot needs drivers to transport individuals to out-of-town medical appointments. Drivers would use their own vehicles and would get mileage reimbursement. A van accessible for transporting people with handicaps is also available for some appointments. Contact Debbie at 838-8414 if you are interested in being a driver and for more information.

WISH LIST: The 2nd Story Social Club has a wish list of items needed. Those who would like to donate may bring monetary donations, bingo prizes, paper towels, plastic silverware, paper plates, tissues, toilet paper, Styrofoam cups, napkins, coffee filters, hand soap, pool cues, envelopes, cleaning supplies, dish soap, air freshener, 13 gallon garbage bags, healthy snacks, frozen pizza, cookies, bars, coffee and pop, CDs and DVDs. The club is located at 13-1st Ave. SW. The best time to drop off donations is weekdays after 5 p.m. or on the weekends. 2nd Story is a social club for adults with developmental disabilities. The club is now accessible for those with handicaps.

RAILROAD MUSEUM RECYCLING: The Railroad Museum of Minot is asking people to bring their recyclable materials to the museum any Saturday or call the museum at 852-7091 so someone can pick up the materials. The museum is collecting paper and metals, including aluminum beverage cans. Recycling money will be used for projects at the museum.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Rehab Services Inc. in Minot is seeking volunteers for its newest program called Recoveree Connection. Volunteers provide telephone support for North Dakotans in drug and alcohol recovery. Volunteers should have experience in the recovery process. Please call Deanne Markle at 839-4240 for more information or stop by Rehab Services at 112-2nd Ave. SW (former Embassy building) to pick up a volunteer application.

RAILROAD SAFETY VOLUNTEERS: North Dakota Operation Lifesaver is seeking passionate volunteers to help spread their message about railroad safety. N.D. Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit public information and safety education program dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths, and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights-of-way. For more information or to volunteer please contact Serena Schmit at 223-6372 or send e-mail to serenas@ndsc.org.

EASTER SEALS SERVICES: Easter Seals Goodwill ND Inc,. offers in-home support services for people with disabilities and for senior citizens; offers personal care, homemaker and other services; rents equipment including walkers, wheel chairs and other medical equipment; and operates the Goodwill Retail Store in Minot. The office is located at 800-12th Ave. SW. Call 838-0669 or 839-4121 for more information. Those interested in volunteering at the store may call Debbie at 852-1201.

CHILD-CARE HELP: Are you looking for child care for your infant, preschool or school-age child? Child Care Resource and Referral can assist you in evaluating your child-care needs and give you a customized list of available child-care providers in your area. For assistance in choosing a child-care provider, call 838-7800.

LITERACY FUNDRAISER: The Minot Adult Literacy Volunteers organization is collecting used books, cell phones and inkjet cartridges as part of an ongoing fundraising effort. People may drop these items off at a collection center inside the Minot Adult Learning Center at 1609-4th Ave. NW.

POWERS LAKE CENTENNIAL: The Powers Lake Centennial Registration Committee is gathering addresses of graduates for the Powers Lake Centennial, which will be July 3-5. The committee doesn't have lists of people who didn't graduate from Powers Lake but would like to receive mailings about the celebration. If you are a part of the Powers Lake community, or have been, but didn't graduate from Powers Lake High School, please give your name, address and e-mail to Trudy Kulstad, 8210-91st Ave. NW, Powers Lake, ND 58773, call 464-5519 or send e-mail to johntrudy@nccray.net. People may also send this information to Linda Rystedt, 100 Anderson St., Powers Lake, ND 58773, call her at 464-5792 or send e-mail to rystedt3@nccray.com.

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS: The Minot Commission on Aging needs volunteers to assist with preparing for Meals on Wheels delivery from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and also needs volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels starting at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. If you are willing to give a few hours during the week or just a day every so often, please call 852-0561 for more information.

MONTHLY BUS PASSES: Monthly City Bus passes are available at the Minot Public Works Office, 1025-31st St. SE, and at Water Billing, 515-2nd Ave. SW. Passes for passengers with disabilities, senior citizens and students are $20. Adult passes are $26. Call 857-4140 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PANTRY, CLOTHING CENTERS: Volunteers are needed to work in the food and clothing pantry of Faith United Methodist Church. The pantry is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more information and to volunteer, call the church at 838-1540. The Seventh-day Adventist Church's Clothing Center in the church at 1624 S. Main St. is now open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch 2nd Chance Thrift Store in Minot needs volunteers to help with organizing clothes, hanging and tagging clothes, helping maintain store appearance, filling shelves and straightening the sales floor and helping out where needed. Call Justin at 852-0236 or stop at the store at 1206 S. Broadway if you are interested or for more information.

HISTORICAL VOLUNTEERS: The Ward County Historical Society needs volunteers to help with the collection, archives and research center. Volunteers will be trained in handling, storage, documentation and digitization of photographs, documents and artifacts. Volunteers can help save the region's history. Hours will be flexible. Call Mark Timbrook at 838-1790 or send e-mail to wchs@minot.com if you are interested in volunteering.

MEDICAL TRAINING: If you are in need of CPR or First Aid training, ACLS training or PALS training, please contact the Community Ambulance Service of Minot Education/Training at 852-9483 for these classes.

BUSINESS PROGRAM: The Minot Service Corps of Retired Executives office at 1925 S. Broadway is staffed by SCORE counselors every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Individuals may visit with SCORE members to learn about SCORE and/or to receive information about their business venture. Call 852-6883 for more information.

COMPANIONS FOR CHILDREN: Companions for Children matches adult volunteers with youth from single-parent homes for friendship, fun and extra adult companionship. Openings are available for adults interested in volunteering. Call 838-5784 for information.

TOUR GUIDES NEEDED: The Scandinavian Heritage Association is looking for volunteers to guide visitors through the Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot and to explain the buildings and uses to visitors. Interested persons should call Jeanne at 852-9161.

MENTORING PROGRAM: The YWCA Minot is looking for mentors (male and female) for its mentoring program for youth ages 14-18. Call 838-1812 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Mid-Dakota Chapter of the American Red Cross needs volunteers to staff the phone lines. The chapter is taking calls as part of the Response Center Network. Within hours of a major disaster, the American public can get immediate disaster-related assistance by calling the Red Cross GET-INFO line. Call 852-2828 to become a volunteer.

VOLUNTEERS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Volunteers for Mouse River Players Community Theatre are needed throughout the year for lights, costumes, makeup, set design and other tasks. People interested in volunteering should call the Mouse River Players' office at 838-3939. The theater also needs basic construction tools including hammers, screwdrivers, saws, table saws, a miter saw, painting brushes and rollers, flat white paint and shelving units.

SENIOR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you are age 55 or over, you are invited to join the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. RSVP offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities where you can make a difference in the community where you live. The Program also provide volunteers with a number of benefits such as supplemental insurance, transportation, and recognition banquets. Call Linda at 852-3799 for more information. The RSVP is now in Trinity-St. Joseph's, 407-3rd St. SE.

SENIOR LEAGUE: Anyone age 50 and over is invited to join the Senior Citizens League of Minot. Handicapped persons under the age of 50 are also welcome to join. The league has various activities including social cards, bingo, dances, pool, Bible study, line dancing and other exercise. League members meet in the Parker Senior Center, 21-1st Ave. SE. Call 852-3323 for more information.

OLD FOGIES HELPING HANDS CLUB: The club is looking for new members. One of the goals of the club is to put together fund-raisers for needy people. For more information, location and meeting date, call Barb at 839-5264.

SENIOR INFO-LINE: The North Dakota Senior Info-Line service is directly provided by the Aging Services Division of the North Dakota Department of Human Services. Call 1-800-451-8693 for information.

SENIOR COMPANIONS NEEDED: Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota is seeking senior companions in the Minot area. Companions provide help and friendship to older adults in the community. For more information call 1-800-450-1510.

RAILROAD MUSEUM: The Railroad Museum of Minot needs more donations and materials so that more displays can be completed. Needed are Sheetrock, lumber, paint, doors and skilled laborers to do some of the work. Call the museum at 852-7091 if you can help.

CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED: The North Dakota Department of Human Services is recruiting volunteer citizen representatives to serve as long-term care community ombudsmen. Call Bryan Fredrickson at 1-888-342-4900 for more information.

RED CROSS WORKERS: The American Red Cross is looking for a few good people. The ARC's Armed Forces Emergency Services has vacancies for After-Hours Caseworkers. These volunteer positions are people who work from their homes, at no expense to the volunteers. Training is provided. Call 852-2828 if you are interested.

USED BOOKS: The Adult Literacy Program in Minot is looking for used books. People may drop them off at the Adult Learning Center, 1609-4th Ave. NW. They will be used for a book sale and reading materials for students.

BRIDGE: Call the Minot YWCA at 838-1812 to reserve your spot for Beginning Duplicate Bridge Monday evenings.

TEEN TRAINING: Community Action Opportunities Inc. will be offering Teen Court Training for new youth volunteers ages 13-17. Youth volunteers serve as teen attorneys, court clerks, bailiffs and jurors. Volunteers receive training from area attorneys, meet new friends and learn about the judicial system. Call 839-7221 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Women's Way needs community volunteers to help inform area women about free screening services. Call 1-800-449-6636 for information.

PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED: New members are welcome at the Minot Camera Club, which meets the first and third Mondays from September through May, except for December when the club meets only the first Monday. The club meets at 7 p.m. in the Minot Public Library Community Room. Call Fern Vannett at 838-5930 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Girls, ages 5-17, need volunteers to help them earn badges, serve the community and have fun. If you are interested in being a leader, contact the Northwest North Dakota Girl Scout Council at 852-5611.

MAKE-A-WISH: The nonprofit organization Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Dakota is searching for volunteers in the Minot area. The foundation grants wishes to North Dakota children with life-threatening medical conditions. Currently, the foundation has opportunities for volunteering which include area volunteer chair, wish granting, the speaker bureau, airport greeters and special event organizers. Call the foundation in Fargo at 280-9474 or visit the Web site at (www.ndwish.org) to volunteer and for more information.

NUTRITION PROGRAM: The Family Nutrition Program is a federally funded program administered by NDSU Extension Service. The program offers classes, displays and demonstrations on nutrition, cooking, menu planning, food safety and managing food dollars. The program is available at no cost to Ward and Renville County limited resource residents. Information may be delivered to large groups, small groups or on an individual basis. Call Trisha or Holly at 857-6450 for more information.