Calendar - This week's events

Items for the Community Calendar may be e-mailed to jill.ritchie@examiner.net or mailed to: The Examiner, P.O. Box 459, Independence, Mo. 64051, attention Jill Ritchie. Also, check the calendar online at examiner.net.

TUESDAY

• “RE-ENTRY CAFE: What were you thinking?” 6 p.m., EC110, Metropolitan Community College-Blue River Campus. Information overload? What is true? What is skewed? Learn how to make wise decisions. Free.
• SKILLBUILDERS workshop, co-sponsored by Independence Parks and Recreation, 9:45 to 11:50 a.m., Palmer Center, Independence. Topic: Understanding your grief, presented by Vickie Mears from Crossroads Hospice. Classes are designed for widowed persons, but anyone may attend. Call 325-6200.
• WILD ONES: Foraging the North 400 – for ages 18 and older, 1 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Discover what delicious native edible plants are hidden within the remote northern 400 acres. Call 228-3766 to register.
• GATHER INN for retired people, 9:30 a.m., Community of Christ Stone Church, Partridge Hall, Independence. Ken McLaughlin will speak on Outreach International. Call 254-2211 or 254-3193.

WEDNESDAY

• INDEPENDENCE FARMER’S MARKET, 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Truman Road between Liberty and Main streets. Information, call Joe Antoine at 252-8860.
• LITTLE ACORNS: Wonders of Nature – for ages 3 to 6, 10 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Join us to experience encounters that can make a child’s eyes light up in wonder. Call 228-3766 to register.
• HOMESCHOOL: Bat tactics, 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. for ages 6 to 8; 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 9 to 11 and 12 to 18, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Learn how these mosquito munching mammals are an integral part of the ecosystem. Call 228-3766 to register.
• Toddler Town for ages 1 to 5, 10 a.m. to noon, Sermon Center, Independence. Cost, $1. Closed when public schools are closed. For activities and information, call 325-7370.

THURSDAY

• TOMBSTONE TALKS: Glorious Monuments – America’s golden age of tombstone art, 7 p.m., National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific Ave., Independence. Review the late 19th century era of grand statues and mausoleums commemorating America’s elite. Cost, $5. Advance reservations required. Call 325-7575.
• THIRD ANNUAL COPS BBQ, sponsored by the Englewood Business and Maywood Merchants Association, 4 to 7 p.m., Curt’s Famous Meats parking lot, 10101 E. Truman Road, Independence. Call 836-2288.
• GIRLS NIGHT OUT, ALL DAY, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., around the Independence Square. Enjoy live music and special treats as you shop with your girlfriends. There will be $5 pink gift coupon rings filled with discounts and give-aways. For detailed information, call 461-0065 or visit www.theindependencesquare.com.
• GALLERY WALK: The Donner Party Goes West, 2 p.m., National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific Ave., Independence. During this 30-minute guided tour, you will come to understand the tragedy and its place in the opening of the west. Admission, $5; $4.50 for ages 62 and older; $3 for ages 6 to 17. 325-7575.
• FOOD POWER FOR CHILDREN, 6 p.m., University of Missouri Extension Center, Blue Springs. During this lively workshop, learn how to teach children nutrition, food safety and ways to become physically active through music and puppetry. Fee, $15. To register, 252-5051,
• MOCKING TOTS for ages 3 to 6, 10:30 a.m., Kansas City Zoo. Super sea lions: See animals, sing songs and play games. Cost, $5 for Friends of the Zoo members; $7 for non-members. 513-5723.
• AMPHITHEATER: Return of the wild turkeys – for families with children 5 and older, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Come enjoy the forest at dusk and a wildlife movie in the amphitheater. Call 228-3766 to register.

FRIDAY

• GHOST TOURS on the Independence Square, 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. The evening begins inside the 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home with ghost stories and yarns of haunted places, followed by a covered wagon ride, narrated tour of the Square. The cost is $18, $12 for children 7 to 11. Prepaid reservations required. Call 461-0065.
• OCTOBER FISH FEST, 5 to 8 p.m., St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Cedar and Lexington, Independence. Menu: Boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, whole channel catfish, catfish filets, french fries, boiled potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, hush puppies, rolls and cornbread. Drinks are included with dinner, and desserts will be available for purchase by the Alter Society. Dinner prices range from $7.50 to $9.75 for adults, and a child’s plate is $4. Call 252-2857.
• ROCKIN’ AT THE RANCH fundraiser, benefiting the Child Abuse Prevention Association, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., Lone Summit Ranch, 28701 E. Old U.S. 40, Lee’s Summit. Cocktail hour and silent auction begins, 6:30 p.m.; barbecue dinner, 7:30 p.m.; program and live auction, 8:45 p.m.,; dancing, 9:30 p.m. Cost, $50, $20 of which is tax-deductable. For information, call 252-8388 or 697-2727.
• MAGIC WOODS, 6 to 9 p.m., Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City. This is a non-scary, safe and fun activity for children of all ages. Meet the animals of the forest on the fully accessible trail. There will also be live animal presentations, tours of the center, games and crafts, and meet Eco Elvis. Admission is $5, ages 3 and under are free. Proceeds benefit injured Missouri wildlife. Call 513-8960.
• “MUCH ADO OUT WEST,” presented by Encore Theatre, 7:30 p.m., Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads, Independence. Special performance by the Encore Singers. Tickets are $7, $6 for seniors, $3 for children. Call 325-7367 for reservations.
• FRIDAY FILM LECTURE, 6:30 p.m., CC101, Metropolitan Community College-Blue River Campus. The movie will be “Fantastic Voyage” with Stephen Boyd and Raquel Welch, with quest speaker Bob Florence. Free. Refreshments will also be served.
• SCIENCE LAB open house, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., CC217, Metropolitan Community College-Blue River Campus. Visit the science lab and check your blood pressure, heart rate, grip strength and percent of body fat. Also, analyze your diet. Free.
• CONSERVATION KID’S CLUB: Take your parent camping night – for ages 7 to 13, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., sponsored by Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Don’t miss sharing this special night at Knob Noster State Park. Call 228-3766 to register.

SATURDAY

• ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL Las Vegas Night, to benefit Project Graduation 2009, 7 to 11 p.m., Eskew Auditorium. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, three drink tickets and $15 in gambling chips. You must be 21 to attend. Call 252-8733 for tickets and information.
• HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR, sponsored by the Lake Tapawingo Women’s Club, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 244 Dockside Drive, Lake Tapawingo. There will be a wide variety of gift items, crafts, art and food.
• WOMEN’S TACO SALAD dinner, bake sale and crafts, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2911 Blue Ridge Blvd. For $7, enjoy a taco salad, dessert and drink. Call 554-8882.
• “MUCH ADO OUT WEST,” presented by Encore Theatre, 7:30 p.m., Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads, Independence. Special performance by the Encore Singers. Tickets are $7, $6 for seniors, $3 for children. Call 325-7367 for reservations.
• MAGIC WOODS, 5 to 9 p.m., Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City. This is a non-scary, safe and fun activity for children of all ages. Meet the animals of the forest on the fully accessible trail. There will also be live animal presentations, tours of the center, games and crafts, and meet Eco Elvis. Admission is $5, ages 3 and under are free. Proceeds benefit injured Missouri wildlife. Call 513-8960.
• INDEPENDENCE FARMER’S MARKET, 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Truman Road between Liberty and Main streets. Information, call Joe Antoine at 252-8860.
• BLUE SPRINGS FARMER’S MARKET, 7 a.m. to noon, 1/2 block south of 11th and Main streets.
• FALL MIGRANTS BIRD HIKE – for ages 18 and older, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Join Naturalist Lisa Richter in welcoming some real “snowbirds”. Call 228-3766 to register.

SUNDAY

• “CEMETERIES IN AND AROUND BLUE SPRINGS” exhibit, 2 to 5 p.m., Dillingham-Lewis House Museum, 101 S. 15th St., Blue Springs. Donation. 224-4910.
• “MUCH ADO OUT WEST,” presented by Encore Theatre, 2 p.m., Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads, Independence. Special performance by the Encore Singers. Tickets are $7, $6 for seniors, $3 for children. Call 325-7367 for reservations.
• LIVING ON THE DARK SIDE: Caves – for families, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Learn how these dark, bleak habitats give rise to some of the most peculiar creatures in our state. Call 228-3766 to register.

ONGOING EVENTS

• ELEGANT HAVILAND CHINA EXHIBIT, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, through October, Vaile Victorian Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty St., Independence. Admission is $5 for adults; $4.50 for seniors; $2 for children 6 to 16. 325-7430.
• “POLITICIANS, Love ‘em-Hate ‘em, They’re Here”, political exhibit, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, through October, Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific Ave., Independence. Admission is $5 for adults; $4.50 for seniors; $2 for children 6 to 16. 461-3491.
• FILM AND CRITTER FEEDING. Free nature films will be shown at 3:30 p.m. Sundays, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs. Critters on exhibit will be fed at 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. 228-3766.