Disability Pride is celebrating its 20th Anniversary from July 21-31, 2010

For more information on the celebration: Molly at (573)882-3988 or tugushim@health.missouri.edu or http://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/ada/ada.html

The Missouri Girls Town Foundation will hold a garage sale on Friday June 30 at 8548 Jade RD in Kingdom City MO. All proceeds raised will go right back to programs at Missouri Girls Town. For more information contact (573) 642-5345.

Show Me Dharma is hosting a Buddhist meditation retreat on the topic of compassionate inquiry with Ginny Morgan, Show-Me Dharma's guiding teacher.
The retreat will be Saturday, July 31st, 9am to 5pm,
and Sunday, August 1st, 8am to noon
at the Methodist Conference Center in Columbia.
Registration is required, with fees on a sliding scale, and scholarships are available.

Registration and other information is at:
ShowMeDharma.org, (that's SHOW ME D-H-A-R-M-A DOT O-R-G).
{33 seconds, MDH]

"Eco School House" is a 39-minute documentary film about how a community's loss becomes an opportunity for innovation. It documents the construction of the first community-built sustainable schoolhouse in the nation, at our own Grant Elementary School, after one of its classrooms burned to the ground.

The film will be shown in the Program Room in the Children's Area of the Columbia Public Library on Monday, August 2nd at 7 PM.

[25 seconds, MDH]

This year, Missouri First Lady, Georganne Nixon, is hosting the "First Lady's Pie Contest",
August 19th, at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

The deadline to register for this event is just around the corner (August 2nd).

All amateur bakers who want to test their family's pie recipes are invited to enter in this friendly competition.

More information is at www.mo.gov.
[25 seconds, MDH]

The Friends of the Columbia Public Library hold a used book sale in the library lobby
every Tuesday from noon-3 p.m and
every Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sales on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month (from noon to 7 PM) are special because they feature the best books that have been donated on different themes. July's "First Tuesday Sale" will feature books on nature, science, math and travel.

All proceeds go to support library services.

[29 seconds, MDH]

One Penny Fellowship in Boonville will offer a Vacation Bible School for children ages 4 and up, on the evenings of Wednesday through Friday, August 4th, 5th, and 6th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

One Penny Fellowship is located next to Boonville High School, just north of I-70 on Route 5.

More information is at 1-660-882-2581.
[25 seconds, MDH]

"The Columbia Farmer's Market has decided to make two lucky people judges of the 2010 Taste of the Market Festival on Aug. 7th. Their looking for one Sous(Pronounced: sue) Chef and one Iron Chef to be judges.

To sign up to be a judge go to farmersmarketpavilion.org"

The Fayette Area Community Theatre will perform a production of the musical, "Baby", in the Little Theatre on the Central Methodist University campus in Fayette.

performances will be on Friday and Saturday, August 6th and 7th at 7 PM,
and on Sunday, August 8th at a 2 PM matinee.

More information is at 1-660-248-2826 or www.CentralMethodist.edu.
[ 27 seconds, MDH]

Peaceworks will hold a Gathering for Peace, in observance of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on Saturday, August 7 at the Gordon Shelter of Stephens Lake Park. This free event is open to all and includes a potluck picnic, music, speakers and the floating of commemorative lanterns. Event runs 6-9:30 p.m. More info is at 573-875-0539 or www.midmopeaceworks.org.

Wood Crest Baptist Church will hold their Annual Fish Fry on Saturday, August 14th from 11:00AM to 3:00PM
at 404 South Henry Clay Boulevard in Ashland, Missouri

The menu will include Fish, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Hush Puppies, Dessert, and Drink. To-go orders will also be available, and donations will be accepted.

More information is at 573-657-2342.
[27 seconds, MDH]

Columbia Transit will begin its bus route changes and new schedule on Monday, August 2nd.

Route 106 (the Brown Route), which runs through downtown and the MU campus, will not change until August 16th, due to road construction work on campus.

New maps and schedules will be posted at the Wabash Station, 126 North 10th Street,
at all Transit bus shelters,
and online at www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

[27 seconds, MDH]

The Columbia Community Counseling Center is a non-profit agency that serves people across the state. They have recently expanded their clinical psychotherapy services here in Columbia.

The Center can address a range of challenging life issues, including family discord, substance abuse, gender issues, and relationship problems.

If you or a loved one is dealing with one of these issues, more information is available at
1-660-263-0680.
[30 seconds, MDH]

Military deployment and the return home can be difficult transitions for both military personnel and their families. The non-profit Columbia Community Counseling Center can offer results-based treatments to veterans and military families.

More information is at 1-660-263-0680.
[21 seconds, MDH]

Did you know that African-Americans have the lowest rate of drug abuse among all races, yet suffer the highest number of deaths from drug abuse? If you, or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, you could make the call that saves a life.

The Columbia Community Counseling Center has more information at 1-660-263-0680.
[22 seconds, MDH]

Summer heat can be dangerous for the elderly, the ill, and the very young. The Voluntary Action Center is now assisting low-income households by supplying fans to those who need them.

The program runs entirely on donations from the community, so if you have a new or very good used fan that you could contribute, the VAC would like to hear from you. They also welcome monetary contributions.

The center is located at 403A Vandiver Drive; Phone 874-2273.
[~30 seconds, MDH]

Northwest Services Peace Program is an approved student exchange program dedicated to bringing the youth of different nations together at a personal family level.

This program is seeking caring families to host students for 5 to 10 months during the 2010 school year.

If you are interested in hosting a student or getting involved, more information is available at 1-866-846-3977
or online at www.nw-services.com
(w w w dot nw dash services dot com)

[~32 seconds,MDH]

Trees planted in the right place on your property can greatly reduce your cooling costs in the summer. That's why Columbia Water and Light is offering a free tree to its electric customers!

Sign up, and a city representative will come to your house, show you the best place for your shade tree, and give you a coupon for a free tree.

More information on the Web at ColumbiaPowerPartners.com or at 874-7325.
[25 seconds. MDH]

The 35th annual Missouri River Festival of the Arts will be held at the historic Thespian Hall in Boonville, August 25th through 28th. Performances will begin at 8 PM each evening, with an Artists' reception on Wednesday, August 25th, at 6 PM.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.FriendsOfHistoricBoonville.org

or by phoning the Friends office toll-free 1-888-588-1477.
[29 seconds, MDH]

If you need an attorney on a civil matter and are low income, you may be eligible for help from Mid-Missouri Legal Services.

Matters for assistance may include domestic-relations, landlord/tenant issues, welfare, unemployment, Medicaid and more.

More information is at 442-0116
Or toll-free at 1-800-568-4931.

(22seconds/MDH)

The Voluntary Action Center is in need of fans. The organization is looking for fans for its Summer Fan Program. This program provides low-income households with fans as the temperatures begin to rise during the summer. Households with infants, young children, pregnant moms, the elderly and the disabled are eligible for the program.

For more information call The Voluntary Action Center at (573) 874-2273.

Need help with your computer skills?

A drop-in session is held at the Columbia Library every Tuesday from noon to 1:30 PM.

Bring your questions, or you can use self-guided tutorials.

A qualified person will be on hand to help.
[16 seconds, MDH]

Get your gardening questions answered by a Heart of Missouri Master Gardener.

More info with the Boone County University of Missouri Extension Center at 573-445-9792, or at boonemg@missouri.edu.

Messages will be returned within 24 hours. This service is available April 1-September 30.

Do you enjoy the Columbia Farmers’ Market? Want to meet great people and help to build the Pavilion? Sustainable Farms and Communities is looking for volunteers to help staff their booth each Saturday morning at the market. You’ll learn all about the Pavilion project and the programs they are working on and meet and greet market shoppers as they pass by. Shifts can be from 1 - 4 hours between 7:30 and noon each Saturday. Call 823-FOOD or visit www.farmersmarketpavilion.org for more information. And remember, the Columbia Farmers’ Market accepts food stamps!

The Columbia Household Hazardous Waste Facility is now open, operating on the first and third Saturdays of April through November
from 9 AM to 1:00 PM.

It provides a free, convenient way for residents to dispose of hazardous materials that cannot be put in the regular trash. Get rid of unneeded gas, oil, paint, cleaning products, auto batteries, pesticides, and more.

The facility is located at 1313 Lakeview Avenue (just west of the city power plant).

(32seconds/MDH)

A support group for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,Fibro-mayalga syndrome and other invisible illnesses, is meeting twice a month in Columbia.

Every 2nd Wednesday of the month,
the meeting begins at 2:00,
at Services for Independent Living,
1401-Hathman Place.

Every 4th Thursday,
the meeting is at the Daniel Boone Library, beginning at 6:30.

More information at 573-875-5803 or 573-474-7473 (Jill Sheets)

(28-34 seconds)

Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, through a Susan G. Komen For The Cure grant, is providing free diagnostic services to women aged 19 to 34 who qualify.

Services are for women who have found breast abnormalities during a clinical breast exam, and who have limited financial resources.

Grant funding for this free service is available through March 31, 2011.

More information with Sinele at 573-884-1140

The Friends of the Columbia Public Library hold a used book sale in the library lobby
every Tuesday from noon-3 p.m and
every Saturday 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

All proceeds go to support library services.

[17 seconds, MDH]

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees but the elderly and the very young are the most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include: nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches.

If a victim of heat-related illness refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately. This message is brought to you by KOPN Columbia.

Heat illness isn't a joke. Here are some heat safety tips to help you stay upbeat in the heat.

Dress for the heat. wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Drink water. carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
Slow down. avoid strenuous activity. if you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day.
Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning. This message has been brought to you by KOPN Columbia.

It's important to stay safe during a flood. Stay out of flood roadways. the water may be much deeper than it appears. If you are attempting to walk or wade though flowing water remember that as little as 6 inches of moving water can sweep you off your feet. Be cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers. Turn around, don't drown! Be well informed of severe weather watches and warnings in your area. This message is brought to you from KOPN Columbia.