SUPPORT GROUPS: Coffee Get-Together in Chatfield.  A drop-in time to share with others who are experiencing grief.  First Thursday of every month,  April 1, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Chosen Valley Assisted Living.

Third Thursday of every month: April 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Seasons Hospice Office

Newly Bereaved Program: This gathering is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one within the past three months.  Come join others to share stories, explore grief journeys, discuss self-care activities and learn about available resources. First Monday of every month, April 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Seasons Hospice Office

Third Monday of every month: April 19, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Family Gathering.  A monthly opportunity for grieving parents/caregivers and their children to come together to share.

Second Wednesday of every month: April 14, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Seasons Hospice Office

Adult Grief Group **
An eight week group meeting for the bereaved. Tuesdays, April 6 through May 25, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Seasons Hospice Office.  Free Get-Togethers in Rochester.  A drop-in time to share with others who are experiencing grief. First Monday of every month: April 5, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.  Seasons Hospice House Second and fourth Wednesday of every month: April 14 and 28, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m, Seasons Hospice House.

Text the word “CHILE” to 52000 to make a one-time $10 earthquake relief donation
 
In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Chile, the Salvation Army is asking donors to assist relief efforts by texting “CHILE” to 52000 on their mobile phones. The text message will automatically provide a one time $10 donation to disaster relief efforts in Chile.  The Salvation Army has had a presence in Chile since 1909 and immediately mobilized to provide support and aid following the magnitude 8.8 Earthquake. Donors can immediately assist relief efforts by texting “CHILE” to 52000 on their mobile phones

The Mayo Hospice Program is offering an eight week specialized Adult Grief Support Groups on Monday afternoons or evenings April 5th -May 24th in Rochester.  The groups are open and free of charge to anyone in the community who has lost a significant person in their lives through death prior to Jan. 31st 2010.  Call Carol Kuisle at (507)284-1690 for more information or to register by March 26th, 2010.

Dodge County Public Health will be holding weekly H1N1 flu vaccination clinics by appointment only.  Vaccine is FREE and available to everyone.  By gettin vaccinated you are not only protecting yourself but also your freinds, family and community from illness.  Please call Dodge County Public Health to make an appointment (507)635-6150.

Real forclosure answers just one click away! minnesotafaceofforeclosure.com.  sponsored by SEMAR (Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors).

In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Salvation Army is asking donors to assist relief efforts in a new and exciting way by texting “HAITI” to 52000 on their mobile phones. The text message will automatically provide a one time $10 donation to disaster relief efforts in Haiti.  The Salvation Army, who’s large facility was itself severely damaged by the January earthquake, continues to provide support, aid and hope to the people of Haiti..  Donors can immediately assist relief efforts by texting “HAITI” to 52000 on their mobile phones.

1.) SMU Theatre & Dance Department presents eleven monologues for women in Jane Martin’s “Talking With.” Thursday- Saturday, March 4 – 6, 7:30pm, Sunday, March 7, 3:00pm, and Monday, March 8, 7:30pm in the Valencia Academy Theatre, Valencia Arts Center.  Tickets: $10 Adults, $5 Seniors & Students.  Please note: We recommend this play for 13 years old and above because of mature content. Also, there is a live cat and snake present.

2.) The Page Series presents Celtic music by Danú, Wednesday, March 10, 7:30pm in the Page Theatre. Tickets: $25 Adults, $20 Seniors  & Students.

3.)The Page Series presents pianist Ned Kirk, Saturday March 13, 7:30pm, and Sunday March 14th , 3:00pm in the Figiulo Recital Hall. Tickets: $22 Adults, $18 Seniors & Students.

4.) SMU Music Department presents The SMU Concert Band, Sunday, March 21, 3:00pm in the Page Theatre. Tickets: $10 Adults, $5 Seniors & Students.

Information about tickets is available online at www.pagetheatre.org, or from the SMU Performance Center Box Office, M – F, 10am - 6 pm, in person, or by phone 507-457-1715.

Need motivation to get in shape? Start training to participate in the first annual Tour de Habitat, a stationary bike competition at the Rochester Athletic Club on April 10th. Sign up for either a team or an individual session. Teams include six cyclists. Each bike for fifteen minutes relay style. Individuals challenge themselves to bike up to 3 hours. Help raise money to build Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity’s 60th home, the InterFaith Build. Sign up now for April 10th at www.firstgiving.com/RAHH. For more information, visit our website at www.rahh.org or call 507-252-0849x5. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization which invites people of all faiths to build simple, decent, and affordable housing in partnership with people in need.

The Rochester High School LaCrosse Winter league is inviting the public to attend their games for free under the new bubble at the University Center-Rochester regional stadium.  There are two games schedule each Sunday afternoon.  The games start at noon, except for the final games on March 21st when the first game will start at 4:30.  Anyone interested in playing LaCrosse, or learning more about the game is urged to attend.

Themed weekends throughout the month of March featuring guest speakers, clases, shows, artists, raffle and more.  Fun for the whole family at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha MN.  Admission: $8.00 Adults, $6.00 Seniors, $5.00 Students, Veterans and active military free.  For more information visit: www.nationaleaglecenter.org.

Join us for a Lenten Fish Fry at Christ the King Church in Byron every Friday evening, February 26 through March 26, serving 5 %u2013 7:30 p.m.  The meal includes All You Can Eat - baked or batter-fried fish, potatoes, vegetable, coleslaw, bread/butter, dessert, and beverage.  Adults - $9.50; Seniors - $8.50; Children 6 to12 - $5.00; Under 6 %u2013 Free; and a family rate of $35.00.  Take-outs available by calling  (507) 775-6455.

Broadway smash hit musical, “Gypsy” March 5 – 28, 2010 at the Rochester Civic Theatre.  A Broadway smash winner or 6 Tony awards this grand musical is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist. It follows her mother, Rose, and her dreams and efforts to raise two daughters to become famous stage performers.. You’ll hear many songs that became popular standards, including "Everything's Coming up Roses", and "Let Me Entertain You." Considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-20th century's conventional musical theatre art form, Gypsy has been referred to as the greatest American musical by many. Let us entertain you with a Broadway classic at Rochester Civic Theatre!                                                                                                                            Show times: Thurs@ 7:30p, Fri & Sat@ 8:00p, Sun@ 2:00pm
Ticket prices: Adult $23.50, Senior $20.50, Student $13.50                                                                                                                    Tickets go on sale on February 22 for the general public! Call RCT Box office at 507-282-8481 or visit www.rochestercivictheatre.org for tickets!

Press kits are now being accepted for Opening Acts for this summer's Down by the Riverside outdoor concert series. Bands of any musical genre will be considered including rock, country, blues, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Latino, celtic and bluegrass. Press kits should contain a CD with at least 3 cuts, a photo of the band, a bio, and a song list. Other information is welcome.  Local bands should be based in the Rochester area, or have at least one member that lives within the 11 county region around SE MN (Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona).  Down by the Riverside is a free summer concert series that takes place in Mayo Park on Sunday nights in July and August and one that has in recent years reached from 3,000 to 20,000 patrons per concert. The series has presented such popular acts as Herman's Hermits featuring Peter Noone, the Dixie Chicks, Jonny Lang, the Grass Roots, 38 Special, Eddie Money, the Little River Band, Josh Turner, Starship, Loverboy, Blue Oyster Cult, Tommy James & the Shondells and Kansas, just to name a few.  please send press kit to: Down by the Riverside Opener, Deana Carr, Riverside Concerts, 201 4th St. SE, Suite 170, Rochester MN 55904. For more information, contact Deana Carr at (507) 328-2209 or by e-mail at deana@riversideconcerts.com and/or visit us online at www.riversideconcerts.com. Press Kits should be postmarked by March 31, 2010.

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variet of countries around the world.  Students come with an enthusiasm to practice their english and experience American culture, food, sports, shopping and more.  They will also share their own culture with host families.  Host families welcome these students into their family, not as a gues, but as a family member, giving both the students and families a rich cultural experience.  In addition, students have pocket money for personal expenses; and full health, accident and liability insurance.  Students are academically selected into the program, and host families can choose their students from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and persona interests.  To become a host family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE as an Area Representative in your community, please call ASSE Midwest Regional Office at 1-800-736-1760.  There are many students to choose from, so call and begin the process of welcoming your new son or daughter into your family today!

Sexual assault can happen to anyone.  And when it does, knowing there is someone to turn to can make all the difference in the world for victims and their families.  The Sexual Assault Program of Victim Services trains volunteers to offer such support to survivors of sexual assault in Dodge, Olmsted and Fillmore counties.  This required 40-hour course teaches prospective volunteers the skills necessary to become crisis line advocates.  The next training session will be held Tuesday evenings March 9th through May 4th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and will include two Saturday sessions, March 20th and April 17th from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  The training will be held in Rochester and is free to those wanting to become volunteers.  For more information about becoming a volunteer with Victim Services, call Kris Barry at 328-7276.  Interested applicants must apply by March 1, 2009.

GUEST ARTIST SEARCH (exp. 7/2010)
Guest artists contract positions available at the Rochester Civic Theatre Rochester Civic Theatre is looking to hire local guest artists for its 58th season from August 2009 to July 2010. Six shows will be presented throughout the season and scenic / lighting / costume designers, choreographer and vocal / music director’s positions are available for the shows listed below. Positions are open until filled. “Funny Money” by Ray Cooney Opens September 11, 2009 “The Wizard of Oz” Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Book by John Kane Opens December 4, 2009 “Doubt” by John Patrick Shanley Opens January 15, 2010 “Gypsy” Music by Jules Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Arthur Larents Opens: March 5, 2010 “The Story of Snow White” by Glasgow Koste Opens April 23, 2010 “Father of the Bride” by Caroline Francke Opens June 4, 2010 Interested parties should submit a letter of interest and resume to: GUEST ARTIST SEARCH Attn: Greg Miller Rochester Civic Theatre 20 Civic Center Drive SE Rochester MN, 55904 E-mail submission is available at: greg@rochestercivictheatre.org.

Rochester Central Lutheran School hosts a free "Coffee and a Tour" the first Wednesday of every month from 7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. At these events, families and individuals can learn more about the mission, goals and educational environment of RCLS. Free day care will be provided if needed. If you are interested in attending one of these informative events, please contact the Rochester Central Lutheran School office at 507-289-3267 to register.