A new fine arts gallery, Red Thread Studio, is open in downtown at 153 W. Washington St., and is presenting a show in the gallery that ends today, with masks, costumes and culture. Call 923-9832.

The Skeetertown Civic League will meet at 7 p.m. in the New First Baptist Church, Hosier Road. Call 539-4041.

The Hollywood nJericho Civic League will meet at 7 p.m. in the Sixth Street Baptist Church, Goodman Street.

Wednesday, March 15

There will be bus trip to Midway Slots, departing at 7 a.m. from the Food Lion on Portsmouth Boulevard. The Walton Family sponsors the trip, leaving Midway at 6 p.m., and the cost is $30. Call 237-2640, 488-1337, 488-0053, 338-2678, or 558-0384.

The Suffolk Health Department will offer a free blood pressure screening in Suffolk Towers Apartments, Main Lobby, 181 N. Main St., from 2-3 p.m.

The Virginia Tidewater Consortium’s Educational Opportunity Center and the Suffolk Workforce Development Center are sponsoring a workshop to help in preparing applications for Federal Student Aid, at Suffolk Workforce Development Center, 157 N. Main Street, Suite D, at 6 p.m. Call 683-2312 to reserve seats.

The breakfast meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 1743, will be held at 8:15 a.m. in the Throttle Back Restaurant at the Suffolk Executive Airport. Cost of meal is $6. Tom Powell, Suffolk representative for the 2007 Jamestown celebration will be the guest speaker. NARFE_Your future, Our focus.

Thursday, March 16

The Lake Kennedy Civic League will meet in the Tabernacle Christian Life Center, across from Tabernacle Christian Church, at 7 p.m.

Friday, March 17

Tidewater Community College will host Transitions, a free half-day conference for women in Virginia Beach from 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., on the Portsmouth Campus. The program includes a motivational speakers and TCC representatives who will answer questions and present information on enrollment, financial aid, placement testing, and what to expect when attending college. Participants are encouraged to discuss their concerns about balancing family, work and school. Interested women may register for the date that best fits their schedule. The Student Activities office will provide refreshments. To register, call 822-7363. To register, call 822-2160.

A Kick-Off planning meeting for the “FIRST FIVE” (1966 – 70) of FGHS will be held at Bethlehem Christian Church (Holland Road), at 6:30 pm. The reunion will be a celebration of the first five years at FGHS (which is now a middle school. Come to the meeting and share your ideas and your interest in seeing old friends. For more info, email: roseland.worrell@ipaper.com or 657-6425 (home) 569-4232 (work).

The Suffolk chapter of The Links, Inc., and Senior Missionary Ministry of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church are co-sponsoring a visit of the My Medicare Matters van and staff from 2-6 p.m. at Mt. Sinai, 6100 Holy Neck Rd. Assistance in choosing a Medicare prescription drug plan will be provided. Social security and Social services representatives will be present. Bring Medicare card and all prescription drugs. Pre-registration advised but not necessary. Call 934-6409, 539-6868, or 538-2215.

The Nansemond chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia will hold its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m in Dennis’ Restaurant, 3356 Western Branch Blvd., in Churchland. Guest speaker will be David Brown, speaking on “Archeology at Fairfield Plantation: Home of the Burwells.

Saturday, March 18

The Magnolia Ruritan Club will have a Boston Butt Sale at their clubhouse, 1047 Nansemond Parkway. The Boston Butts are cooked by the members and are $20 each including a pint of barbecue sauce. Tickets are available from any member or at Lester Brothers Service Station 539-8521, Harvey’s Servicecenter 539-6719, or Bunny’s Restaurant 538-2325. Order deadline is March 15.

Old Dominion University Gallery, 350 W. 21st, Norfolk, will have a reception and exhibition starting at 7 p.m., featuring &uot;Consumed&uot;, a multi media presentation that explores the tensions between positive and negative aspects of things we consume. This is a graduate study thesis that will be on display until April 9.

The Holland-Holy Neck Civic League will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a special program in the Laurel Hill United Church of Christ, on South Quay Road, at 5 p.m.

Tickets are required for the dinner that will follow the program. Delegate Algie T. Howell of the 90th district of the Virginia General

Assembly will be the guest speaker.

Monday, March 20

The Virginia Cooperative Extension, Dept. of Conservation and Recreation presents a free educational seminar &uot;Spring Into Your Lawn, from 4-8 p.m. There will be sponsored fish fry dinner at 6 p.m. Complete details of soil sampling, choosing grass, disease control, and problems with animals and insects will be covered. Pre-registration is required. Call Rexford Cotton 923-2050.

The Nansemond County Training/ Southwestern High Alumni Association will meet in Southwestern Elementary School at 7 p.m. Call 934-1624.

Tuesday, March 21

The Suffolk Health Department will offer free blood pressure screening at Chorey Park Apartments, 804 W. Constance Rd, in the main lobby, from 2-3 p.m.

The Suffolk chapter of The Links, Inc., Elephants Fork Civic League, and Farm Fresh are co-sponsoring a visit of the My Medicare Matters van and staff from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Farm fresh, 1401 North Main St. Assistance in choosing a Medicare prescription drug plan will be provided. Social security and Social services representatives will be present. Bring Medicare card and all prescription drugs. Pre-registration advised but not necessary. Call 934-6409, 539-6868, or 538-2215.

Wednesday, March 22

The Suffolk Health Department will offer free blood pressure

and diabetes screening at the Suffolk Senior Center, 350 N. Main St., from 10-12 a.m. (walk in).

Friday, March 24

The Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. presents the 16th annual Whitney M. Young Jr. dinner at the Marriot Norfolk Waterside, 235 E, Main St., Norfolk, activities beginning at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and dance at 9 p.m. Call 627-0864.

The Woodworking Shows are scheduled for March 24-26 at Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, in Chantilly. Event hours are Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $9 a ticket for a three-day pass. Children 12 and under are free. Call (703) 378-0910 for more information or visit www.dullesexpo.com.

Relay for Life celebration luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity UMC in Smithfield. There will be lunch, silent auctions, raffles, door prizes, and special speakers. Cost is $15 per ticket, in advance only. Call Pam Jordan at 255-0058, or Pam78@aol.com.

Sunday, March 26

Building Suffolk will have an orientation meeting to explain the application process for applying for the new home to be completed on Osceola Ave. The meeting will be held at Ed’s Place (Old Dining Room) on Pinner Street, at 7 p.m. (No food will be provided.) Call 235-2151

Wednesday, March 29

The Suffolk Health Department will offer free blood pressure and diabetes screening from 10 a.m.-noon at the Suffolk Senior Center, 350 N. Main St.

Saturday, April 1

The Easter Egg Factory at Beech Grove United Methodist Church closes its order taking for delicious hand rolled, dipped and decorated Easter egg candy – butter cream, coconut, fruit and nut, or peanut butter. Call or visit the church at 4251 Driver Lane in Driver. 537-8753

Ten Star All Star Basketball Camp offers a free brochure b y calling 704-373-0873, anytime. There are camps conveniently located nationwide, and they are attended by players from all 50 states. College scholarships are possible for those selected to the All-American team. Camps are open to boys and girls from 10-19 years old, and are by invitation only.

There will be a shopping trip to New York leaving from St. Paul RZUA Church. Cost is $55. For more information contact Dorothy Foster at 934-7759, or Verona Elam at 465-5783.

Virginia Cooperative Extension will be holding a Suffolk 4-H Camp on June 19-23 at the Airfield 4-H Center in Wakefield. Camp fee is $175, which includes Lodging, meals, and travel to and from camp. Registration deadline is April 14 or until spaces are filled. Call Dianette Ferguson at 923-2057.

April 29

Oxford United Methodist Church will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon to clear out the overflow and winter items from the clothes closet to make way for summer garments. The items will sell for 25 cents to $2.

Friday, May 17

The Rockin’ Relay for Life will be held from 7 p.m.-through Saturday, May 20. Mayor Bobby Ralph will be the honorary chair for the event.

On-going

First aid/CPR/AED instructor training at the Suffolk Chapter of the American Red Cross. Call Lisa Harrell 539-6645.

The Lakeland High School Class of 1996 is planning its 10-year class reunion.

Contact Dion Scott

819-3518; e-mail myshizz@yahoo.com; or Darius Bailey 435-4617;

DaGrain2005@yahoo.com.

Sentara Home Care Hospice Program is currently seeking volunteers to share their time and talents with patients and families in the Suffolk area.

Giving just a few hours to be a companion, run an errand, or send a card can make a difference in the lives of others.

To learn more, contact Sharon Royster MSW, volunteer coordinator, at 224-4835 or slroyster@sentara.com.

Suffolk High School Class of ’75 is looking for classmates for a reunion. Call Ann Ruffin 582-0155, Paquita Lawrence 535-4021, or Jackie Williams 376-2275

The John F. Kennedy High School Class of 1973 is planning a gala for its 35th class reunion celebration.

Call Dr. Freddie J. Wiggins, 923-1006 or fax, 923-0566.

The Holland United Church of Christ, 6733 South Quay Road has a senior citizens center in the fellowship hall on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. There are games, bridge, dominoes, checkers, chess, day trips, and more. Transportation available. Call 657-6681.

Crewmembers from the USS Rio Grande (AOG-3) are planning a reunion in Norfolk in the fall of 2006. Call Richard Hughes (480) 895-5611 or email at dichughes@robsoncom.net

Granby High School, Norfolk, classmates of 1956 are planning for a reunion in the fall.  Contact Kay Neese Smith at 757-874-5897 or e-mail at Granby56Reunion@aol.com or George Steinmetz 757-686-4750, or e-mail at georgeamelia_98@yahoo.com

Hall Place Civic League, Inc. meetings are held the 1st Thursday of every month at the John Constance House, located behind Baker Funeral Home on the corner of W. Washington Street and Linden Avenue. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. All Hall Place Suffolk residents are encouraged to attend; potential new members and guests are always welcome. For membership information or if you have questions please contact Civic League President Tara Stainback at (757) 435-7565.