(8/1 – 8/5) STERLING BLOOD DRIVE  (1-800-GIVE-LIFE)

JOIN THE AMERICAN RED CROSS DURING ITS RED CROSS RACING PROMOTION THIS SUMMER TO GET POINTS AND WIN PRIZES WHEN YOU GIVE BLOOD.  THE NEXT COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE FROM NOON UNTIL 6 P.M. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 6^TH AT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 137 NORTH BROADWAY IN STERLING.  ALL BLOOD TYPES ARE NEEDED AND WALK-INS ARE WELCOME.  CALL 1-800-GIVE-LIFE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. 

(8/1—8/6)  FILM SEMINAR   (620-792-4221)

THE BARTON ARTS CENTER WILL BRING FRENCH CINEMA TO GREAT BEND WITH A 5-WEEK SEMINAR STARTING AUGUST 6^TH.  ERIC MONDER, A DOCUMENTARY MAKER AND FILM CRITIC FROM LINDSBORG WILL PRESENT FILMS AND COMMENTARY AT THE SESSIONS WHICH WILL RUN FROM 7 TO 9:30 P.M. AT THE CENTER IN DOWNTOWN GREAT BEND. FOR A SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMS AND TO FIND OUT MORE, CALL THE BARTON ARTS CENTER. 

(8/1 – 8/7)  FOUNDATION AUCTION  (620-792-9367)

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE 32^ND ANNUAL BIG BENEFIT AUCTION, SPONSORED BY THE BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION.  THIS YEAR’S THEME IS “A NIGHT IN NAPA” AND WILL BE HELD AT 6 P.M., SATURDAY AUGUST 28^TH AT THE HIGHLAND HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER.  ALL PROCEEDS WILL FUND ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROGRAMS.   

(8/1 – 8/7)  PANTHER DISCOUNT CARDS  (620-793-1560)

THIS WEEK, REPRESENTATIVES OF GREAT BEND HIGH SCHOOL ARE SELLING PANTHER DISCOUNT CARDS.  THE CARDS ARE $10 EACH AND FEATURE DISCOUNTS AND PROMOTIONS FROM MORE THAN 60 COMMUNITY BUSINESSES.  ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO SUPPORT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT GREAT BEND HIGH SCHOOL. 

(8/1 – 8/7)  PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION  (620-792-4221)

THE BARTON ARTS CENTER IN DOWNTOWN GREAT BEND IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING ENTRIES IN ITS 2^nd ANNUAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST.  THE PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY AND PROMOTE BEGINNING AND ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE BARTON COUNTY AREA.  ALL WORK IS ELIGIBLE FROM DIGITAL TO TRADITIONAL PRINTS.  THE EXHIBIT WILL BE DISPLAYED DURING AUGUST. 

(8/1 – 8/7)  LABOR DAY ENTRIES  (620-653-4311)

ENTRIES ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR HOISINGTON’S 114^TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATION SEPTEMBER 3RD THROUGH THE 6^TH   STOP BY THE HOISINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND SIGN UP FOR THE DEMOLITION DERBY, 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL, THE COMMUNITY GARAGE AND SIDEWALK SALE AND THE BIG PARADE ON SEPTEMBER 6^TH.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO HOISINGTON-KANSAS-DOT-COM OR CALL THE HOISINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.   

(8/1 –8/12)  SHINE AND SHOW  (620-792-5105)

IF YOU’RE A CAR ENTHUSIAST, THEN JOIN THE CAR CLUBS IN THE GREAT BEND AREA FOR THE NEXT SHINE AND SHOW FROM 6 AND 10 P.M. ON FRIDAY AUGUST 13^TH AT JACK KILBY SQUARE IN DOWNTOWN GREAT BEND.  THIS IS A COME AND GO GATHERING, SPECTATORS ARE WELCOME AND FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.  THE SHINE AND SHOW WILL BE HELD ON SELECT FRIDAY EVENINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER. 

(8/1 – 8/13)  PAWNEE RELAY FOR LIFE  (316-616-6505)

JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER BY PARTICIPATING IN THE 2010 PAWNEE & STAFFORD COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE TO BENEFIT RESEARCH BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.  THIS YEAR’S EVENT WILL BE HELD FROM 7 P.M. UNTIL 7 A.M. AUGUST 13^TH AND 14^TH ON THE TRACK AT LARNED HIGH SCHOOL. THERE’S STILL TIME TO PARTICIPATE.  FOR UPDATES ON THE RELAY’S FUND RAISING EVENTS, CHECK OUT THEIR PAGE ON FACEBOOK.  

(8/1 – 8/14)  MEDICAL FUND

A MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AT FIRST KANSAS BANK IN GREAT BEND FOR 5-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER SCHNEWEIS OF CLAFLIN.  CHRISTOPHER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH HYDROCEPHALUS AND CEREBRAL PALSY.  A SPECIALTY CLINIC IN GERMANY CAN PROVIDE TREATMENT, SO THE FAMILY HOPES TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE TRIP OVERSEAS. IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP WITH TRAVEL AND RELATED MEDICAL COSTS, THEN CONTACT ANY FIRST KANSAS BANK LOCATION.   

(8/1 – 8/14)  BIG BEND BOW-HUNTERS  (620-786-5837)

THE BIG BEND BOW-HUNTERS CLUB OF GREAT BEND WILL HOST IT’S NEXT MONTHLY SHOOT ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 14^TH AND 15^TH.  THE EVENT WILL BEGIN WITH A TRICKLE START AT 1 P.M. ON SATURDAY AND A SHOTGUN START AT 8:30 A.M. SUNDAY.  ADULTS CAN SHOOT FOR $10 WHILE KIDS 12 AND UNDER SHOOT FOR FREE. 

(7/25 – 7/29)  DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING  (620-792-4087)

SUNFLOWER EARLY EDUCATION CENTER IN GREAT BEND WILL SPONSOR A FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN UP TO 3 YEARS OLD FROM 9 UNTIL 11 A.M. ON FRIDAY, JULY 30^TH AT THE CENTER, 1312 PATTON ROAD.  AREAS SCREENED WILL INCLUDE VISION, HEARING, COGNITIVE AND COMMUNICATIONS.  APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED AND CAN BE MADE BY CALLING THE SUNFLOWER EARLY EDUCATION CENTER.

(7/25 – 7/30)  WILSON CZECH FESTIVAL

THE BIG AFTER HARVEST CZECH FESTIVAL IS THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY (7/30 & 7/31) IN DOWNTOWN WILSON.  THE FESTIVAL BRINGS OUT THE COSTUMES, DANCERS, FOOD, FUN AND CELEBRATIONS THAT MAKE WILSON THE CZECH CAPITAL OF KANSAS.  AND WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN, DON’T FORGET TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL CZECH BUFFET SPONSORED BY THE ST. WENCESLAUS ALTER SOCIETY.

(7/25 – 7/30)  ZOO PIG ROAST

THE GREAT BEND ZOO INVITES YOU TO ITS FIRST-EVER FUND-RAISING PIG ROAST FROM 5:30 UNTIL 8 P.M., SATURDAY JULY 31^ST AT THE GREAT BEND ELKS LODGE, 1127 KANSAS AVENUE.  THE MENU INCLUDES PORK, DRESSING, BAKED BEANS, COLE SLAW, CORN AND A BEVERAGE.  TICKETS ARE $8 AND CARRY OUT WILL BE AVAILABLE.  TICKETS WILL BE SOLD IN ADVANCE AT THE EAGLE BROADCAST CENTER, 1200 BAKER, GREAT BEND. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE GREAT BEND ZOO.

(7/25 – 7/31)  FT. HAYS HISTORIC SITE (785-625-6812)

IF YOU COULD VISIT JUST ONE PLACE IN KANSAS, WHERE WOULD IT BE?  ACCORDING TO THE BING TRAVEL SITE, HISTORIC FORT HAYS HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE TOP PLACE TO VISIT IN THE STATE.  IN THE LATE 19^TH CENTURY, FORT HAYS WAS ONE OF THE U.S. ARMY’S MOST IMPORTANT FRONTIER OUTPOSTS, SERVING AS HEADQUARTERS FOR NOTABLE REGIMENTS INCLUDING SOME OF THE FIRST BUFFALO SOLDIERS.  THE FORT HAYS HISTORIC SITE IS 4 MILES SOUTH OF I-70, EXIT 157 IN HAYS. 

(7/25 – 7/31)  KANS FOR KIDS FUND-RAISER  (620-653-2210)

THE KANS FOR KIDS FRIENDS ORGANIZATION WILL SPONSOR A HAMBURGER AND HOT DOG FEED TO BENEFIT THE KANS FOR KIDS FIGHTING CANCER FOUNDATION FROM 11 A.M. UNTIL 2 P.M. SUNDAY, AUGUST 1^ST AT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL ON MAIN STREET IN HOISINGTON.  SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR IS $6 FOR ADULTS AND $3 FOR KIDS 10 AND UNDER.  ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE KANS FOR KIDS FIGHTING CANCER FOUNDATION TO ASSIST LOCAL CHILDREN IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST CANCER.

(7/25 – 7/31)  PAWNEE CO. HUMANE SOCIETY (620-282-2992)

THE PAWNEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY IS LOOKING FOR CAREGIVERS TO PROVIDE FOSTER HOMES FOR DOGS AND CATS UP FOR ADOPTION.  BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF INTAKES THIS SUMMER, PAWNEE COUNTY NEEDS TO EXPAND ITS NETWORK OF FOSTER PET PARENTS.  IF YOU COULD PROVIDE A FOSTER HOME, TRANSPORTATION OR FUEL TO HELP HOMELESS ANIMALS  FIND A PERMANENT HOME, THEN PLEASE CALL THE PAWNEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY IN LARNED. 

(7/25 – 7/31)  FOUNDATION AUCTION  (620-792-9367)

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE 32^ND ANNUAL BIG BENEFIT AUCTION, SPONSORED BY THE BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION.  THIS YEAR’S THEME IS “A NIGHT IN NAPA” AND WILL BE HELD AT 6 P.M., SATURDAY AUGUST 28^TH AT THE HIGHLAND HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER.  ALL PROCEEDS WILL FUND ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROGRAMS. 

(7/25 – 8/1)  EXPLORER’S CAMP  (785-628-5502)

IF YOU ENJOY WATCHING NATURE PROGRAMS ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL OR ANIMAL PLANET, THEN PLAN TO ATTEND THE WILDLIFE EXPLORER’S CAMP, AUGUST 10^TH THROUGH THE 13^TH, SPONSORED BY THE STERNBERG MUSEUM IN HAYS.  THE CAMP IS A FOUR-DAY EVENT THAT WILL TEACH STUDENTS GRADES 3 THROUGH 8 ABOUT THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT MAKE THEIR HOME IN KANSAS.  SIGN UP DEADLINE IS AUGUST 2^ND. CALL THE STERNBERG MUSEUM IN HAYS TO FIND OUT MORE.

(7/25 – 8/3)  NATIONAL PARK QUILTS (785-839-4233)

SIX STUDENT-DESIGNED QUILTS, DEPICTING STORIES OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SITES IN KANSAS, WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE NICODEMUS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE JULY 23^RD THROUGH AUGUST 4^TH. THE QUILTS WERE CREATED AFTER MONTHS OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, QUILT CLUBS AND PARK RANGERS FROM KANSAS.  NICODEMUS IS NORTHWEST OF HAYS ON HIGHWAY 24.   

(7/25 – 8/1)  STERNBERG SUMMER CLASSES  (785-628-4578)

THE EDUCATION STAFF AT THE STERNBERG MUSEUM IN HAYS WILL SPONSOR THE 5^TH IN A SERIES OF SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR AREA YOUTH ON AUGUST 5^TH. THE PROGRAM “SAYONARA SUPER CROC WILL FEATURE A SPECIAL GUIDED GOODBYE TOUR OF THE SUPER CROC EXHIBIT ON THE LAST DAY THAT MUSEUM VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO VIEW THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND EXHIBIT.  PRE- REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY AUGUST 2^ND. 

(7/25 – 8/5) STERLING BLOOD DRIVE  (1-800-GIVE-LIFE)

JOIN THE AMERICAN RED CROSS DURING ITS RED CROSS RACING PROMOTION THIS SUMMER TO GET POINTS AND WIN PRIZES WHEN YOU GIVE BLOOD.  THE NEXT COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE FROM NOON UNTIL 6 P.M. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 6^TH AT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 137 NORTH BROADWAY IN STERLING.  ALL BLOOD TYPES ARE NEEDED AND WALK-INS ARE WELCOME.  CALL 1-800-GIVE-LIFE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. 

(7/25 – 8/7)  LABOR DAY ENTRIES  (620-653-4311)

ENTRIES ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR HOISINGTON’S 114^TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATION SEPTEMBER 3RD THROUGH THE 6^TH   STOP BY THE HOISINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND SIGN UP FOR THE DEMOLITION DERBY, 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL, THE COMMUNITY GARAGE AND SIDEWALK SALE, THE LABOR DAY BABY CONTEST AND THE BIG PARADE ON SEPTEMBER 6^TH.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO HOISINGTON-KANSAS-DOT-COM OR CALL THE HOISINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.