Calendar of Events: September workshop focuses on pastel painting

Through Sept. 19

Missouri State University libraries present All Aboard! The Frisco Collection, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays in Room 306 of Meyer Library on the MSU campus. The exhibit celebrates the Frisco Railroad and highlights materials that document its history.

Aug. 23

Springfield Regional Arts Council is seeking volunteers to help 9:45 a.m.–noon at activity stations during Free Art Day at the Creamery Arts Center. Supplies and volunteer instruction will be given; volunteers should come prepared to enjoy working with children of all ages. For more information, call (417) 862-2787.

Sept. 5–7

Springfield Sister Cities Association is seeking volunteers for the Japanese Fall Festival in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave. Help is needed to take tickets, sell souvenirs and work in the children’s center. Organizers also are seeking entertainment related to Japanese culture. Highlights of the event include performers from Springfield’s sister city, Isesaki, Japan, and traditional tea ceremonies. To get involved, call Cindy Jobe at (417) 864-1341.

Sept. 9–11

Springfield Regional Arts Council is offering a three-day pastel painting workshop taught by Kathryn Linstrom Harrison, a local artist and founding member of the Denver Art Students League. The workshop will run 10 a.m.–4 p.m. each day at the Creamery, 411 N. Sherman Parkway. Students will spend one session focusing on still-life pieces, one working on outdoor work, weather permitting, and the final day on pastel portraits with live models. The cost is $75 per person; a supply list will be provided. No pastel experience is required. To register or for more information, call SRAC at (417) 862-2787.

Sept. 20–21

Urban Districts Alliance is seeking volunteers for the 11th annual Cider Days festival on historic Walnut Street. The event will feature regional artists, performance stages, a hands-on children’s area, a scarecrow village and vintage cars. Volunteer registration forms are available at www.itsalldowntown.com or by calling (417) 831-6200.

Business & Professional Development

Aug. 19

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce presents Ian Ybarra, co-author of “Recruit or Die: How Any Business Can Win the War for Young Talent” 9–11 a.m. at the chamber office, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. Ybarra will share insight for dealing with Generation Y talent and provide best practices. The cost is $15 per person; registration is required and is available at www.springfieldchamber.com. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Aug. 21

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce presents Branson Area Business Expo 2008 noon–6 p.m. at the Hilton Branson Convention Center ballroom. The event is free and open to the public, and it features vendor booths, networking opportunities and prize drawings. Ozarks Technical Community College’s Center for Workforce Development presents a free workshop on retaining talent 2–3 p.m.

Aug. 28

The Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will present its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Nicol’s Fine Dining at StoneBridge Village. Representatives of the Blue Eye and Reeds Spring school districts will be the featured speakers, giving updates on their respective districts. The luncheon provides networking opportunities for chamber members, potential members and area residents. The cost of the luncheon is $15 if reservations are made prior to Aug. 25; the price is $17 after that. To register, call (417) 739-2564.

Sept. 4

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce presents Good Morning, Springfield! at 7:30 a.m. at Wanda Gray Elementary School, 2101 W. FR 182. This networking program features updates from community leaders. The cost is $13 for members and $18 for nonmembers. Registration is available at www.springfieldchamber.com.

Community

Aug. 23

The fifth annual Moonlight Bike Ride to Benefit Discovery Center of Springfield will begin at 8 p.m. with a pre-party at the center, 438 St. Louis St. Ride registration will be 8–9 p.m., and the ride will begin at 9:30 p.m. The event is a 7-mile ride through Springfield that ends at Discovery Center with pancakes and sausage provided by Village Inn. Pre-registration is $15 for riders age 13 and older and $10 for those ages 3 through 12. Registration cost increases by $5 on the day of the ride. Riders must wear helmets, and each bike must have a headlight. To register, visit www.discoverycenter.org.