On the go Calendar:

on going

Illinois State Museum is looking for volunteers to work in its hands-on children's gallery, A Place For Discovery. Details 782-6044.

Oak Terrace Healthcare Center presents the Cookin' for Kumler Club. Receive a dozen or so recipes every two months for $12 in advance or $2 each set. Proceeds benefit Kumler Food Pantry. Call Stacey Sensel 217.787.6466.

Entries are now being accepted for the Fourth Annual Illinois Emerging June 30th Writers Competition for poets and authors of short stories. There will be two categories: the James Jones Short Story Award and the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award. 3 cash prizes will be available in both categories for original, unpublished works.  The competition is open to Illinois residents age 18 and over & runs through June 30th. There is a $20 per submission charge and for entry forms, rules and other information here.

The Illinois State Museum has opened a new exhibition, The Grammar of Landscape: Photographic Visions of Illinois featured through July 27 in the 2nd floor art galleries. The Grammar of Landscape maps the terrain of our state through the eyes of ten photographers and a performance artist, each of whom has made a commitment to the landscape through their work.

The 2008 Liturgical Arts Festival is set for May 2-May 6 in Springfield and starts at 7:30pm. All Festival events are open to the public free of charge. Highly acclaimed a cappella group Chapter 6, the spirited Heritage Ensemble of Peoria, and a world-class Liturgical and Sacred Art exhibition are just a few of the highlights of the festival. For more information visit www.LAFSpringfield.org

Registered nurses from all over the State of Illinois will participate in the Illinois Nurses Association's Nurses Week Celebration on May 6 from 11am-1pm with.  The nurses week event takes place in conjunction with the grand opening of the Association's Springfield office located at 911 South Second Street. The ribbon cutting ceremony is at 11am. An introduction of leaders follows from 11:30am-12pm. A reception with light food will be held from 12pm-1pm.  A walk to celebrate Nurses Week steps off from the South Second Street building at 1pm and commences in a rally in front of the Capitol Building located at Second and Capital Streets around 1:15pm

The Illinois State Museum Super Saturday on May 10 from 10am-4pm will explore Illinoiscapes. What's a landscape? Where are the most interesting ones in Illinois?  How do you represent a landscape through art?   Discover new, creative ways to capture our state's diverse landscapes through hands-on art activities in A Place for Discovery. This program is being held in conjunction with the Museum's Funscapes family art event.

The public is invited to the Illinois State Museum on May 10 from 11-3pm for the
Funscapes Family Art Event. Celebrate Illinois' diverse landscapes at this special family event, in conjunction with the exhibition Grammar of Landscape: Photographic Visions of Illinois.  This photographic exploration of Illinois' diverse landscapes will be on exhibit at the Museum through July 27.  Funscapes is sponsored by Bank of Springfield.

The Centennial Parade of Homes is May 9-11 and May 16-18: Fridays from 4-7pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-5pm.  Tickets are $5, available on site and all proceeds benefit St. John’s Children’s Hospital.  The event has 8 professionally decorated homes, children theme bedrooms w/ unique designs, and more!  It’ll be located at Centennial Park Place Subdivision.  For more information visit www.centennialparkplace.com or call 525-7158.

There will be a Relay For Life Fundraiser May 17 from 10am-4pm in front of County Market on Veterans Parkway. There will be lots of hotdogs, chips, drinks and baked goods for sale in the Chuckwagon in front of the store.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation will hold their 4th Annual Honor the Eagle Pow Wow near the boat ramp inside Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL. May 17 from 11am-10pm and May 18 Noon-5pm.  For more info call 773-585-1744.

Join Bells in Motion as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary with their Spring Concerts, ‘Bronze Images’ May 24-25. May 24 at 7pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield. May 25 at 4pm at Central Christian Church in Decatur.  Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door prior to each concert. For more info visit www.bellsinmotion.org.

Join Amy & Bryan at the 5th Annual Springfield Police Department Golf Outing to benefit the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Shotgun start at Piper Glen Golf Course, with prizes and contests. Morning or afternoon session; $90 per golfer includes 18 holes with cart, dinner, door prizes, and beverage tickets. Call Mark Houston 217-306-3452 or Dennis Arnold 217-341-5279 for info and to sign up.

The Annual Fishing Derby will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Park on June 6 & 7 from 8am-11am.  For more info or comments call the Village Utility Office at 629-9122.

5pm-6am, join Lite Rock 99, WNNS for
Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. There will be games, events, bake sales, etc. at each tent to raise money for the ACS. Even if you don't have a team, the event is FREE and open to the public! New Location for 2008: The Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The 22nd Anniversary Washington Street Jazz & Blues festival is on June 28th.  The event features six bands on two stages, highlighting jazz and blues music.  For more information contact Penny Wollan-Kriel at 217-753-3519.

The Radio Controlled Airplane Club, located one mile south of East Lake drive on Pawnee Blacktop, are having an open house June 29.  They will have flight demonstrations of all different types of aircraft and helicopters, refreshments, a 50/50 drawing and free balsa gliders for children under 7 while they last.  They will have instructors available for anyone that would like to try flying an Rc Airplane.  For more info call Bruce Kern at 965-4089 or email kern@royell.org.

The 20th Annual Tour De Donut Bike Race & 3rd Annual Rib Cook-Off will
be July 12 in Staunton, Illinois.  The race starts at 9am and the cook-off/block party is from 9am-12pm.  Entertainment provided by The Warehouse Project Band, the Cumberland Gap Band and Gumbohead.  Food options will be available all day long – Rib dinners at 5pm.