Calendar: Ozarks Alliance honors Woman of Distinction

Missouri State University Art Gallery, 333 E. Walnut St., presents “From Bollywood to Virtual India,” a showcase of graphic works and photographs by international artist Annu Palakunnathu Matthew. Matthew, who was born in England and raised in India, uses her work to explore her culture and highlight the confusion among Americans about Indians and Native Americans.

The gallery is open 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays–Saturdays 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Matthew will talk about her work during a presentation and reception at 5:30 p.m. March 9 in Room 226 of Ellis Hall. For more information, call (417) 829-5093.

March 9–11

HorseFest 2007 is 9 a.m.–5 p.m. each day at the Missouri Entertainment and Event Center, formerly the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. The event, designed for competitive riders and horse enthusiasts, will feature a trade show, clinics and educational presentations. Tickets are $10 each day for adults, with a second-day ticket for $5. Children 12 and younger are admitted free, and those ages 13 to 18 will pay half price. For more information, visit www.horsefest.net or call (417) 833-2660.

March 15

Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts presents “Lost in Yonkers” at 7:30 p.m. This Pulitzer Prize-winning tale of a dysfunctional family in 1940s New York by Neil Simon is performed by The Montana Repertory Theatre. Tickets are $22.50 and $12.50 and can be purchased by calling (417) 836-7678 or (888) 476-7849.

March 5

Ozarks Alliance and MSU present the fifth annual Ozarks Woman of Distinction awards reception 6–8 p.m. at the Executive Conference Center Ballroom, 910 W. Battlefield Road. The 2007 honoree will be announced at the reception. Nominees are: Nancy D. O’Reilly, Psy.D; Jodie Adams; Marlene Chism; Katherine “Katy” Tynes; Leslie Anderson; Kathy Staudt; and Cyndy Teas. The Emerging Leader nominee is Christin Green. The event also is a benefit for the Family Violence Center. For more information, call (417) 268-2647.

March 6–8

The city of Springfield, Drury University and the Environmental Protection Agency present the Midwest Summit on the Sustainable Redevelopment of Contaminated Properties. The three-day conference in the auditorium at Drury’s Hammons School of Architecture will feature opening remarks by EPA Regional Administrator John Askew. There also will be a bus tour of brownfields sites in Springfield and interactive sessions aimed at teaching sustainable principles and best practices for the environment. More details are available at www.drury.edu or by calling (417) 864-1092.

March 17

Manoli’s Jewelers presents the Sound of Polka Bavaria on Boonville, a benefit for the History Museum of for Springfield-Greene County, 7–11 p.m. at Historic Firehouse No. 2 at Boonville and Commercial streets.

The St. Patrick’s Day celebration will feature Bavarian appetizers, pretzels and German beer. There will be a cash bar, polka, Irish and oldies music and dancing. Manoli’s also will have a drawing for jewelry. Tickets are $45 per person. For tickets or more information, call (417) 864-1976.

March 7

Orientation begins for William Woods University’s specialist of education in school administration degree program. The graduate and adult studies program kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception School, 3555 S. Fremont Ave. The degree prepares educational administrators for superintendent certification. For more information, call (800) 995-3199 or e-mail cgas@williamwoods.edu.