4-H plant contest slated…

The 4-H plant II invitational contest will be held at 2:30 p.m. March 18 in the Range Animal Science Building. The Sul Ross State University Range and Wildlife Club and the Borderlands Research Institute are sponsoring the contest, so there will be no entry fee. For more information, call Bonnie J. Warnock at 432-837-8488.

Children’s paper flower class set…

A paper flower class for children age 8 and older will be offered at 4:15 p.m. March 18 in the Junior Room of the Alpine Public Library. Those attending this free event will hear “The Legend of the Bluebonnet” by Tomie dePaola, and then learn to make tissue paper flowers. For more information, call Mary Beth Garrett, children’s librarian, at 432-837-2612.

Seebach to address Sierra Club…

John Seebach, former project archaeologist with the Center for Big Bend Studies, will talk on “Human Environmental Impacts in the Pre-Historic Past” when the Big Bend Regional Sierra Club meets at 7 p.m. March 18 in Lawrence Hall on the Sul Ross campus. The program is free and open to the public. Seebach is working on his doctoral dissertation at Southern Methodist University, exploring the Paleoindian (10,800-8,000 years before present) human occupation of the Chihuahuan Desert. In his talk, Seebach will evaluate the evidence for prehistoric human impacts to the environment through the lens of Pleistocene extinctions in North America. This summer, he will join an expedition to Chukotka, Siberia, on the coast of the Bering Sea.

Kids’ garden project planned…

Alpine boys and girls, ages 6-12, are invited to join the new Boys and Girls Community Garden. An introductory meeting and enrollment will be held at 7 p.m. March 22 at the Alpine Neighborhood Center, 10th Street and Gallego Avenue. The garden is being prepared one block away. Kids can learn to plant and harvest seasonal fruits and vegetables. For more information, contact Mary Louise Lopez, outreach/nutrition educator at the West Texas Food Bank, 432-837-1580 or mlopez@feedingamerica.org; or Jan Sibley at Rural Border Intervention, 432-837-9510.

Performers sought for fundraiser…

A multicultural benefit fundraiser for Alpine’s Relay For Life is scheduled for March 27 on the grounds of Kokernot Lodge. Organizers are seeking musicians and dance performers, such as Latin, mariachis, Mexican, Caribbean, African drumming, Middle Eastern drumming, country, folk, Irish, jazz, blues, Cajun, etc. “If you can donate your talent to this event, or if you know performers who can and will, spread the word,” said Kareva Mulholland. “We also seek volunteers such as a master of ceremonies, a stage manager and runners.” RSVP by Monday, March 15, with Mulholland at 432-386-6806 or dancetahiti@aol.com.

Spay, neuter is ‘Easy As Pie’…

Alpine Humane Society wants to make it as “Easy As Pie” to spay or neuter your cat or dog. On March 27 near the Kokernot Park Pavilion, the organization will have a drawing, and 10 lucky winners may have their dog or cat spayed or neutered for free in Alpine. At 2 p.m., tickets will be passed out for the drawing. Participants can eat a piece of complimentary pie. They may also wish to play “Musical Pie.” The drawing will be at 3 p.m. For more information, email Kay Wilde at kaywilde@swbell.net.

NRA banquet slated…

The Big Bend Friends of NRA has scheduled its annual banquet for 5-9 p.m. March 27 at the Alpine Civic Center. In addition to a brisket dinner, the event features live and silent auctions, games and youth activities. All net proceeds benefit the NRA Foundation, which offers youth and women’s firearm safety and education programs; hunter education; range development; support materials for training classes; and wildlife conservation efforts. To date, multiple grants have come back to the Tri-County region to Boy Scouts and 4-H shooting programs. Tickets to the banquet are $25 for adults and $15 for youths under age 16; table sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Dawson Young at Morrison’s True Value in Alpine at 432-837-2061.

Art gallery plans reception…

The Big Bend Arts Council’s Gallery On the Square will hold a reception from 5-7 p.m. April 1 titled “Borderland Heat.” The show will remain on exhibit through July. Anyone interested in showing artwork during this event should call Charlotte Senneff at 432-364-2319. This guest artist series of shows will have a different theme approximately every three months, and a reception is planned at each opening. For more information about Gallery On The Square, call Diane Baylor at 432-364-2609.

Fundraiser for Victor A. Vega…

Buy a ticket for a chance to win a gun of your choice from Morrison’s True Value, retail value $1,000, to help send Victor A. Vega to Washington, D.C. Victor, was nominated to attend the People to People World Leadership Forum in the nation’s capital June 28-July 3. This fundraiser is sponsored by the Vega family. To buy a ticket, call 432-386-6303 or stop by Big Bend Saddlery and True Value.

Alzheimer’s support group…

The Alzheimer’s support group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Alpine Valley Care Center, 1003 Loop Road. The group helps families of those with Alzheimer’s dementia to better cope with the disease process by giving them needed information, as well as offering a discussion group with people experiencing the same situations. Families and friends of people with Alzheimer’s are welcome to attend the meetings.