BES Book Fair

Where: Bramlett Elementary School

Bramlett Elementary School will hold its annual Fall Book Fair in the BES library. Great books will be available for sale to the public and attendees can also honor a Bramlett teacher by purchasing a book from their wish list for their classroom. The book fair will be open today through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Parents and caregivers of toddlers, school-aged children, home schoolers and friends are encouraged to purchase books. For more information, call Connie Robinson at 234-2685.

(Books, Children's events, Community, Education, Fundraisers)

Green Bag Lunch and Lecture Series

Where: Barnard Observatory

Jim Morrison, director of Campus Sustainability at the University of Mississippi, kicks off this series for the fall with “Service and Sustainability in the Lafayette County/Oxford/University Community” to share ideas on how sustainability involves respecting and helping people as much as it does the environment. The Green Bag Lunch is co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and the Office of Campus Sustainability. The lecture will be held at noon Wednesday in the Barnard Observatory lecture hall.

(Community, Education, Lectures, University)

Pilot Club of Oxford

Where: Ole Miss Catering

Will meet Thursday at Ole Miss Catering on Heritage Drive. The club board will meet at 5:30 p.m. and the general meeting and dinner will follow at 6.

(Meetings)

BES Book Fair

Where: Bramlett Elementary School

Bramlett Elementary School will hold its annual Fall Book Fair in the BES library. Great books will be available for sale to the public and attendees can also honor a Bramlett teacher by purchasing a book from their wish list for their classroom. The book fair will be open today and Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Parents and caregivers of toddlers, school-aged children, home schoolers and friends are encouraged to purchase books. For more information, call Connie Robinson at 234-2685.

(Books, Children's events, Education, Fundraisers)

Tallahatchie Toastmasters

Where: Cedar Oaks

The members of the Tallahatchie Toastmasters will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Oaks Heritage House, 601 Murray Street. Anyone interested is invited to learn public speaking and leadership skills. Visit the website for more information at http://tallahatchie.freetoasthost.biz or call 234-9318.

(Education, Meetings)

BES Book Fair

Where: Bramlett Elementary School

Bramlett Elementary School will conclude its annual Fall Book Fair in the BES library today. Great books are available for sale to the public and attendees can also honor a Bramlett teacher by purchasing a book from their wish list for their classroom. The book fair will be held Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Parents and caregivers of toddlers, school-aged children, home schoolers and friends are encouraged to purchase books. For more information, call Connie Robinson at 234-2685.

(Books, Children's events, Community, Education, Fundraisers)

Bake Sale Fundraiser

Where: Walmart

A bake sale fundraiser for the Northwest Side Civic Club (Harmontown Community Center) will be held Saturday Sept. 4, starting at 9 a.m. at the Walmart in Oxford.

(Fundraisers)

Pride of the South, Marching Southerners Concert

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

The University of Mississippi's Pride of the South Band and Jacksonville State's Marching Southerners Band are set to perform a joint concert after the Rebels' season opener Saturday against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The concert is free and will begin immediately following the game in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Fans can come to the east stands to watch. The concert will feature a standstill performance with four brief tunes. Both bands will be arranged by section and standing in a large arc on the field.

(Community, Music, Outdoors, Performing arts, Sports, University)

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Where: Azalea Gardens

The Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Caregiver Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Azalea Gardens Senior Care Community, 100 Azalea Drive. Since the group is meeting on Labor Day, the theme of the discussion will be: "While Caregiving is a Labor of Love, it is still Labor." The meeting is open to all caregivers interested in those with Alzheimer’s and related memory loss disorders. Those interested in the group are encouraged to request to be on its e-mail list. Refreshments will be provided compliments of Azalea Gardens. For more information, contact Jo Ann O'Quin, UM Department of Social Work, at 915-7199 or joquin@olemiss.edu.

(Health, Meetings)

‘More than a meal’

The “More Than a Meal” program will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 7, at the Stone Center on Washington Avenue. A free meal will be provided, tutoring will be available for students and more. For more information, call  801-4712.

(Children's events, Community, Health)

Free Lecture Series: How to Draw

Where: Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library

(Art, Community, Education, Lectures)

NARFE

Where: Fat Cat's Catfish & Steaks

Chapter 1659, National Active and Retired Federal Employees, or NARFE, will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Fat Cats Catfish & Steak restaurant, 1007 Old College Hill Road. A variety of lunches will be available. Guest speaker will be Mary Kathryn Millner, director of tourism with the Oxford Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition, a discussion will be held concerning the recently concluded NARFE National Convention. All members and prospective members, all active and retired federal employees, family and friends are invited to attend. For more information, call Chapter Secretary Bill James at 234-3197.

(Meetings)

Grief Support Group

Where: Azalea Gardens

North Mississippi Hospice will sponsor a grief support group meeting at noon Thursday, Sept. 9, at Azalea Gardens in Oxford. The meeting is open to anyone who has experienced loss. A light lunch will be provided. For more information, call 234-0140.

(Health, Meetings)

Sardis Sale Days

Where: Sardis Industrial Park

Sardis Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Sardis Sale Days, Sept. 10, 11 and 12 at the Sardis Industrial Park. The park is easily accessible for I-55, exit 252. Times are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Security will be provided Friday and Saturday nights. Craft, flea market and animal vendors are invited to participate. The fee is $15 per day for a 25' x 25' space. Several acres available for set-up, as well as, shaded areas for animal vendors with water accessible. The park has clean restrooms on-site. Admission and parking for the public is free. For more information, call the chamber at 662-609-2159.

(Out-of-town)

Studio Crawl, reception

Where: Bozarts Gallery

The second annual Studio Crawl, sponsored by the Water Valley Arts Council, and an art opening, will be start at Bozarts Art Gallery, 403 Main Street in Water Valley, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10. An opening reception for “Southern Comforts,” an exhibit of the work of five artists, will be held at the gallery from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

(Art, Out-of-town)

Homebuyer Educaton Workshop

Where: Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi

The Amos Network of Lafayette County will conduct its Homebuyer Education Workshop at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi’s Magnolia Auditorium. The workshop is HUD approved and it is free. For more information, contact Janice F. Carr at 662-380-0662 or e-mail at jfclegal@bellsouth.net.

(Community, Education)

Ballroom Dance Club

Where: Johnson Commons ballroom

The Ole Miss Ballroom Dance Club will host a “Back to School Dance” from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Johnson Commons Ballroom on the Ole Miss campus. Everyone is welcome. A group E.C. Swing lesson will be taught by The Dance Studio of Tupelo. Open dancing will also be featured. Those who don’t already know how to dance are invited to come and have fun while they learn. Dress is casual. Admission is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Student admission is $5 for members and $9 for non-members. Yearly membership dues are $25 and student yearly membership dues are $15. For more information, call Fred or Kathy at 234-8530, or visit www.ombdc.com.

(Community, University)

Sav-A-Life Banquet

Where: First Baptist Church

The annual Sav-A-Life Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at the First Baptist Church of Oxford. The tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at the Pregnancy Test Center (on the left just before North Oxford Baptist Church) or at the door. Those who want to support Sav-A-Life, but can’t go to the banquet, can mail a check to P. O. Box 1193, Oxford 38655.

(Fundraisers)

Newcomers Fall kick Off Party

Where: Greystone Farm

The members of the Newcomers of Oxford will gather for their annual Fall Kickoff Party at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Greystone Farm. However, annual dues as well as fees for the catered meal must be paid by Sept. 13. In addition to the food, there will be music, skits, plus introductions of officers and committee chairs. New residents to the Oxford area are welcome to join. Visit or call the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce for information and forms for membership and the big fall party.

(Community, Outdoors, Parties)

Ground-breaking Ceremony

Where: Hampton Inn East-Conference

A ground-breaking ceremony for the new Hampton Inn East – Conference will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at 103 Ed Perry Blvd., directly facing the Oxford Conference Center. Refreshments and viewing of the hotel plans will immediately follow in the Conference Center lobby. For more information, call Emily Rikard at Emily.Rikard@hilton.com.

(Business, Community)

Howorth Lecture

Where: Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts

Ending racism and sexism in society will be explored by acclaimed writer bell hooks in the 16th annual Lucy Somerville Howorth Lecture in Women's Studies today at the University of Mississippi. The free, public presentation, “Talking Race and Gender: Ending Domination,” is set for 5:30 this evening in the Ford Center for Performing Arts. A 5 p.m. book signing precedes the program. Hooks is the author of more than 30 critically acclaimed books on the politics of race, gender, class and culture. Since 2004, she has been distinguished professor in residence in Appalachian studies at Berea College. She was a distinguished professor of English at New York University, as well as a professor at Yale University and Oberlin College. The Atlantic Monthly named hooks as “one of our nation's leading public intellectuals.”

(Community, Education, Lectures, University)

Free Lecture Series: How to Draw

Where: Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library

(Art, Community, Education, Lectures)

Artist reception

Where: Powerhouse Community Arts Center

The Powerhouse Community Arts Center will host an opening reception for artist Lou Haney at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The show is free and includes a new piece Haney created for the Powerhouse, which is a 24-foot “stained-glass quilt.”

(Art)

Centennial, Cosmopolitan Clubs

Where: Cedar Oaks

The Centennial Club and the Cosmopolitan Club will hold their annual joint fall meeting at Cedar Oaks Historic Mansion on Tuesday. The potluck luncheon meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. Members of the two clubs will discuss plans for the coming year.

(Meetings)

More than a Meal Fundraiser

Where: Rooster's Blues House

A fundraiser for the More Than A Meal program will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Rooster’s Blues House on the Square. The fundraiser will feature two-for-one drink specials and all-you-can-eat catfish. Donations will be accepted at the door. Those unable to attend can mail in a donation to PO Box 1880 Oxford, MS 38655. More Than A Meal is a program in which a group of churches have banded together to offer those in need a free meal and other services every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Stone Center.

(Community, Fundraisers, Religious)

United Way Campaign Kick-Off

Where: Oxford Conference Center

The local United Way will kick off its new fundraising campaign from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at a luncheon at the Oxford Conference Center, 102 Ed Perry Blvd. Lunch will be provided by Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, and the kick-off event is being sponsor by several local businesses.

(Community, Fundraisers)

Red Cross

Where: 106 Skyline Drive

The American Red Cross will offer an Adult, Child, and Infant CPR community class from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20. The cost of the class is $35. All classes are held at the Red Cross Office at 106 Skyline Drive. Interested participants should contact the Red Cross office at 236-1282 to register. Pre-registration is required for the class.

(Community, Education, Health)

Free Lecture Series: How to Draw

Where: Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library

(Art, Community, Education, Lectures)

World Alzheimer’s Day Ceremony

Where: University Museum

In recognition of World Alzheimer's Day on Tuesday, the community is invited to a brief ceremony and reception in recognition of those who have suffered with dementia and their caregivers. The gathering will begin at 5:15 p.m. at the University of Mississippi Museum's outdoor sculpture, “Bardo of Rose,” a visual tribute to those touched by Alzheimer's and related diseases. Located at the corner of University Avenue and 5th Street, the ceremony will also include refreshments and details about a new comunity program, "Memory Makers: Respite Day Services of Oxford," will be announced. For more information, contact Jo Ann O'Quin at joquin@olemiss.edu or Dianne Arnold at 662-846-5335.

(Community, Health)

Shoe Box Gifts Kick Off

Where: Calvary Baptist Church

Oxford kids, families and volunteers will host a celebration at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the operation Christmas Child Relay Center at Calvary Baptist Church on CR 207 to kick off the expected 3,500 shoe box gifts to be collected from Oxford residents for hurting children worldwide. For thousands of shoe boxes — filled with toys, school supplies and necessity items — this will be the first stop on their journey. The shoe boxes are then hand-delivered to hurting children around the world. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (662)801-8511 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week for gift-filled shoe boxes is Nov. 15-22.

(Community, Fundraisers)

Ten Minute Play Festival

Where: Powerhouse Community Arts Center

Theatre Oxford presents the 2010 Ten Minute Play Festival on Sept. 23, 24 and 26. Four local plays will be featured as well as the Grand Prize Winner of the annual National 10 Minute Play Contest. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, and 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. A closing reception will follow Sunday’s show. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door for adults and $8 in advance or $10 at the door for students and seniors. All performances are at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center located at 413 S. 14th St. For more information, visit www.theatreoxford.com, or contact the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council at 236-6429.

(Performing arts)

Workshop on foreclosure, bankruptcy

Where: Holly Springs City Hall

Mississippi Legal Services Programs sponsors workshops on home foreclosures and bankruptcy throughout the state. North Mississippi Rural Legal Services will sponsor a workshop on home foreclosures and bankruptcy from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday for Lafayette, Benton and Marshall counties. The workshop will be held at the Holly Springs City Hall in Holly Springs, located at 160 S. Memphis St. in Holly Springs. Citizens experiencing problems with bankruptcies and foreclosures are encouraged to attend. Options and solutions to these problems will be presented, discussed and identified. Mississippi Legal Services Programs has formed partnerships with the Department of Human Services, Division of Community Services, United CAA, Northeast Mississippi Community Services and the local WIN Job Centers. For more information, on legal services for indigent Mississippians, visit the website, www.mslegalservices.org. Applicants needing legal services may call 1-800-498-1804 Monday-Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

(Business, Community, Out-of-town)

Artists on Art Lecture Series

Where: University Museum

Whose art are artists watching? Find out by attending Artists on Art, two Thursday noon lectures at the University of Mississippi Museum. This series presented by artists will examine contemporary influence in context with his or her own work. Bring a lunch, and bring a friend! September 23: Katherine Rhodes Fields, Printmaker and Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi Department of Art. Fields graduated cum laude from University of the South, Sewanee in 1997, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree.  After studying Environmental Art at the Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland she earned her MFA in 2005 at the University of Mississippi Department of Art.  Along with an extensive national exhibition record, her drawings and installations were exhibited in Stirling Scotland at the Changing Room Contemporary Gallery (2005) and in Aberdeen Scotland as part of an international drawing invitational (2004). September 30: Lou Haney, Painter and Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Mississippi Department of Art. Haney graduated cum laude from Rhodes College in Memphis with a BA in Art with a Studio Concentration. Lou received an MFA in Painting from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. Lou’s work has been exhibited at the museum in 2010, and has had solo exhibitions in California, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Virginia, and her work has been juried into several national exhibitions. The University of Mississippi Museum is located at University Avenue and Fifth Street in Oxford. For more information, contact Laura Parkinson at parkinso@olemiss.edu or the University of Mississippi Museum at by calling (662) 915-7073.

(Art, Community, Lectures, University)

Ten Minute Play Festival

Where: Powerhouse Community Arts Center

Theatre Oxford presents the 2010 Ten Minute Play Festival on Sept.  24 and 26. Four local plays will be featured as well as the Grand Prize Winner of the annual National 10 Minute Play Contest. Performances will be at  7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. A closing reception will follow Sunday’s show. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door for adults and $8 in advance or $10 at the door for students and seniors. All performances are at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center located at 413 S. 14th St. For more information, visit www.theatreoxford.com, or contact the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council at 236-6429.

(Performing arts)

Nature Reading

Where: Strawberry Plains Audubon Center

Ann Fisher-Wirth, American poet and scholar of Oxford, will be the guest speaker for this Friday evening’s Nature Reading at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Davis Antebellum Home at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs. The event is free and open to the public. Fisher-Wirth’s third book of poems, “Carta Marina,” appeared from Wings Press in April 2009. She teaches at the University of Mississippi, where she also directs the environmental studies minor. She also teaches in the low residency MFA program at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. She is currently editing an ecopoetry anthology with Laura-Gray Street and so she will talk about contemporary American ecopoetry to start the program. A discussion will be held at the end of the program. Registration is required by calling 662-252-1155 or e-mail kboyle@aududon.org. For more information, visit http://strawberryplains.audubon.org.

(Books, Out-of-town, Performing arts)

Oxford Floral Trunk Show

Where: Oxford Floral

Olive Branch resident Erich Edward Emmenegger will showcase his line of ceramics, Three E Designs, in Oxford Floral on Sept. 24. The trunk show is part of a fall trunk show series hosted by Oxford Floral that takes place each Friday from 1  to 5 p.m. before University of Mississippi home football games. Emmenegger has been creating pottery since the mid -80s. Over the years, his creations have been pictured in national and international publications, as well as received numerous national art awards. His work is featured in speciality boutiques and galleries around the country. Emmenegger  takes inspiration from the lush beauty of the south. Three E Designs is unique and rich in creativity. The artist often uses elaborate patterns and intricate ceramic flowers to adorn his pieces. Emmenegger offers everything from teapots, cake stands, and crosses to butter trays, fruit bowls and pitchers.

(Art)

‘Ruffing It at Ravine’ Postponed

Where: Ravine restaurant

The organizers of “Ruffing It at Ravine,” a day of art and music designed to benefit the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society set for Sept. 26 on the grounds of the Ravine restaurant and B&B, have postponed the event. “Unfortunately, due to logistical considerations, this fundraiser for the Oxford-Lafayette County Humane Society has been postponed. The event will occur on a Saturday during May 2011 — even bigger and better than previously imagined,” according to an e-mail sent Aug. 31. “Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience. For more information, contact the Ravine: 662-234-4555; or the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society: 662-236-7631.”

(Community, Fundraisers, Outdoors)

Ten Minute Play Festival

Where: Powerhouse Community Arts Center

Theatre Oxford presents the 2010 Ten Minute Play Festival on Sept. 26. Four local plays will be featured as well as the Grand Prize Winner of the annual National 10 Minute Play Contest. The performances will be staged at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. A closing reception will follow Sunday’s show. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door for adults and $8 in advance or $10 at the door for students and seniors. All performances are at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center located at 413 S. 14th St. For more information, visit www.theatreoxford.com, or contact the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council at 236-6429.

(Performing arts)

Parent Meeting: Is Your Elementary Student Ready to Attend College?

Where: Burns U-M Church

The Youth Development Team of Burns United Methodist Church will hold a parent meeting to address preparing your child for college; ensuring your child's success at school; and overcoming pitfalls that your child may encounter at school. Everyone is invited to a panel discussion at 6 p.m. Monday at Burns United Methodist Church, 600 Molly Bar Road. Panelists will include: Pamela Lawson, third-grade teacher at Oxford Elementary School; Marilyn Barnes, interventionist at Oxford Middle School; Mike McLarty, school counselor at Oxford High School; Rickey Lawson, youth minister at Burns UMC; and a college student from Rust College. The panelists will also provide tips and ideas to prepare your child for college, regardless of age. The meeting is designed for parents, grandparents, guardians, surrogate parents and college students.

(Community, Education, Meetings)

Free Lecture Series: How to Draw

Where: Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library

(Art, Community, Education, Lectures)

Zumba Class

Where: Oxford-University United Methodist Church

Zumba is a Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow, calorie-burning fitness party. Do you want to sweat without all the hard work? Then come join the Zumba party at Oxford-University United Methodist Church. $2 per person and everyone is invited to attend every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Sept. 28.

(Community, Health)

C.A.R.E. Support Group Luncheon

Where: Azalea Gardens

The Caring for Aging Relatives Effectively (C.A.R.E.) support and exchange group meets for lunch at noon on the last Wednesday of the month at Azalea Gardens Assisted Living Community. This is an informal gathering that provides those in caring situations an opportunity to exchange ideas, resources and concerns with others. A light lunch is provided compliments of Azalea Gardens, 100 Azalea Drive. All caregivers are welcome and can get more information by contacting Sandra Enfinger at 234-9600 or Jo Ann O'Quin at joquin@olemiss.edu.

(Community, Health, Meetings)

Artists on Art Lecture Series

Where: University Museum

(Art, Community, Lectures, University)

Japanese Film Series

Where: Malco Oxford Studio Cinema

The Japan Foundation and the Croft Institute for International Studies will host the sixth annual “Japan Foundation Film Series: Japanese Films of the 1960s.” The second film, “The Fort of Death,” will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Oxford Malco Studio Cinema. This event is free and open to the public.

(Community, Education, Film, University)