Call for artists
SWARTZ CREEK — The first Swartz Creek Hometown Days Fine Art Festival is seeking artists to participate in the inaugural event, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 31 on Fortino Drive near city hall.
Three participants will win first through third place awards for best of show during the juried event. Application forms and registration details can be downloaded at www.hometowndays.org, under the “forms” link.
Cost for a 14-foot by 14-foot vendor spot is $65 plus a non-refundable $15 jury fee. Application deadline is Feb. 29. — J.N.

Help save lives
GOODRICH — St. Mark’s Church, 7296 Gale Rd. hosts an American Red Cross blood drive from noon-5:45 p.m. Feb. 12.
“The commitment and dedication of our regular donors is inspiring, however most donors only give once a year. If they gave twice a year there would be no shortage of blood. As always we have bowls of homemade soup and bread for everyone that comes,” said Karen Thornton, R.N., parish nurse.
For details or to schedule an appointment, call 810-299-1840. — J.N.

Swenor hosts meet-the-candidate reception
GRAND BLANC — James Swenor, Republican candidate for state representative, 51st District, hosts a meet-the-candidate event from 4-7 p.m. Feb. 14 at Horsepower Heritage Gallery, 8253 S. Saginaw St.
Swenor and his wife, Michele, will be on hand during the Valentine’s Day event to meet with residents and discuss local issues.
They also will be handing out roses. Guests can enjoy refreshments and enter a drawing to win a romantic getaway during the event, Swenor said.
Swenor is running for the seat currently occupied by Rep. David Robertson (R-Grand Blanc Twp.), who is term-limited. — J.N.

Explore vintage
baseball
GRAND BLANC — Want to learn more about the early days of baseball, when pitchers were called “hurlists,” batters were called “ballists” and the umpire wore a suit and top hat?
The Flint Genealogical Society hosts a joint meeting with the Genesee County Historical Society at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Grand Blanc Heritage Museum, 203 E. Grand Blanc Rd.
Bruce Rubenstein will give a presentation on “Vintage Baseball,” exploring the early days of
America’s pastime.
The Flint Genealogical Society hosts regular monthly meetings and welcomes people to attend and explore their family roots, techniques for tracing family histories and to share with the rest of the group.
For details about the Flint Genealogical Society, membership or events, call Lorene Wilson at 810-694-9196 or Jim Barrett at 810-919-5449. — J.N.

Grand Blanc offers
career, technical
education to students
GRAND BLANC — Grand Blanc Community Schools now offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to its high school students.
The programs include automotive technology; business management/entrepreneurship; child psychology/life management; finance and accounting; health occupations; industrial arts and technology; marketing; and pre-engineering/C.A.D.
CTE programs are open to all Grand Blanc High School tenth, eleventh and twelfth-graders.
For details, contact Martha Gale, director of career and technical education, at 810-591-6931. — N.B.

Children’s Champion Awards breakfast
FLINT — Priority Children hosts its 13th Children’s Champion Awards breakfast from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Feb. 8 at UM-Flint Recreation Center.
The breakfast is a unique opportunity to rally in support of Genesee County children and also celebrates the nominees and recipients of the Children’s Champion Awards. Tickets are $10 each and reservations are required.
To reserve a spot, visit www.prioritychildren.org or call 810-234-5007. — N.B.

Camper and RV show
BURTON — The 32nd Annual Flint Camper & RV Show hits town Feb. 7-10 at Perani Arena and Event Center, 3501 Lapeer Rd.
The show features all types of new 2008 recreation vehicles including folding campers, motor homes, park models, travel trailers, truck campers and fifth-wheel travel trailers.
Hours are 2-9 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, ticket prices or to register to win free tickets, visit www.marvac.org. — N.B.

Telescope owners workshop
FLINT — Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St., hosts a new telescope owners workshop from 9-11:30 a.m. Feb. 16 to teach people the best methods to use the scientific instrument.
Longway Planetarium Astronomer Richard Walker hosts the interactive workshop, showing individuals how to set up and balance their telescope. The workshop covers the different types of telescopes, eyepieces, barlows and calculating magnifications.
Cost for the workshop is $10 per person or $25 for a family of four, and is recommended for children ages eight and older. Preregistration is required.
For details and to fill out a registration form, call Longway Planetarium at 810-237-3400 or visit www.longway.org/classes.html. — N.B.

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