• Friday night (2/5) at 7 on Ozarks Public Television, “Jeff City Journal;” at 7:30, “To the Contrary;” at 8, “McLaughlin Group;” at 8:30, “Washington Week;” at 9, “Now on PBS;” at 9:30, “Bill Moyers Journal;” at 10:30, “European Journal;” and at 11, “Charlie Rose.”

• The CoxHealth Auxiliary will hold a Fine Jewelry Sale from 7 to 4 Friday (2/5) at Cox South.

• The Springfield Conservation Nature Center will present an evening of Native American Storytelling with John Hernandez at 7 Friday night (2/5). The trails will be open from 6 to 9. Information at 888-4237.

• The Missouri State Student Exhibition Center will hold an artist’s reception as part of the First Friday Artwalk Friday night (2/5) from 6 to 10. The Exhibition Center is located on the corner of Walnut and John Q. Hammons Parkway. Information at 836-6996.

• The Missouri State Chinese Students and Scholars Association will host a Chinese New Year celebration Friday night (2/5) from 6 to 10 in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom. For information, contact Yueru Liu at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

• The Springfield Regional Opera will present “Jazzaria” Friday (2/5) at 6:30 at the Executive Conference Center Ballroom in Springfield. Ticket information at 836-1960 or 883-5580.

• The Park Central Branch Library will host artist Faye Clifton for the First Friday Artwalk Friday night (2/5) beginning at 6:30. Information at 831-1342.

• The Missouri State University English Department will present the Moon City Faculty Invitational Reading Friday night (2/5) at 7:30 in Ellis Hall. Information at 836-5419.

• Springfield Little Theatre will present “The King and I” Friday night (2/5) thru February 21st. Ticket information and show times at 869-1334.

• The Missouri State Women’s Basketball team will host Creighton University Friday night (2/5) at 7:35 at the JQH Arena. Ticket information at 836-7678.

• The Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts will present Joan Rivers Friday night (2/5) at 8. This performance is intended for mature audiences. Ticket information at 836-7678.

• Learn the basics of using a compass and topographic maps during the Beginner Orienteering class for adults Saturday morning (2/6) from 8:30 to 12:30 at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Registration is required. Information at 888-4237.

• The Springfield Conservation Nature Center will host a volunteer naturalist guided hike on the trails Saturday morning (2/6) at 9. Information at 888-4237.

• The Midtown Carnegie Branch Library will off Free Tax Help to low-to-moderate income families and individuals including those with disabilities, non-English speakers and older adults Saturday (2/6) from 10 to 2. Information at 862-0135.

• Drury University students will provide free tax preparation for low-income and senior taxpayers Saturday (2/6) from 10 to 3 at the Breech School of Business Administration on the Drury campus. Information at 873-7522.

• The Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks will host the official grand opening of its new thrift store Saturday (2/6) at noon at 215 Veterans Boulevard in Branson. Information at 417-334-3770.

• The 7th annual Chocolate Festival will be held Saturday (2/6) from 1 to 3 at the West Plains Civic Center. Proceeds will benefit Christos House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Ticket information at 417-256-3408.

• The Midtown Carnegie Branch Library will host artists from Kaleidoscope Ink Saturday (2/6) at 1 to talk about tattoo art, history and safety, along with a colorful exhibit of tattoo art. Registration is required. Information at 862-0135.

• Missouri State University will celebrate African Heritage Month with the “Awakening Youth Rally Concert” Saturday evening (2/6) at 6 in the Plaster Student Union Theatre. Information at 836-4108.

• The Missouri State men’s basketball team will host Creighton University Saturday night (2/6) at 7:05 at the JQH Arena. Ticket information at 836-7678.

• The YMCA “Girls on the Run” Valentine 5K Run will be held February 13th, beginning at the Catholic Campus Ministry on the Missouri State campus. Registration is due by Monday (2/8). Information at 862-8962.

• The volunteer Glade and Trail Work Day has been postponed until February 13th, due to soggy grounds from the recent snow. The work day will still take place from 9 to 3 at Lake Springfield Park. Volunteers will help drag small trees and limbs to restore a glade area and in order to assist in the continued development of a hiking trail on the property. RSVPs are required by Wednesday (2/10). Information at 417-353-2527.

• Kris Kristofferson will perform at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts Wednesday night (2/10) at 7:30. Ticket information at 836-7678.

• Pro Musica will present “Philharmonia of the Nations” February 12th at 7:30 at Missouri Southern State University’s Taylor Performing Arts Center in Joplin. Ticket information at 417-625-1822.

• Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre will hold auditions for its summer productions February 14th in the Ellis Recital Hall. The lineup for the upcoming season includes the musicals “Guys and Dolls” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” along with the play “Noises Off.” Audition times must be scheduled in advance. Information at 836-4644.

•Big Brothers Big Sisters will present “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” February 20th to help celebrate their 25th anniversary. Registration is required for bowling teams. Information at 889-9136.

• Missouri elementary, middle and home school students (K-8) are invited to help in the fight against litter by participating in the 2010 “Yes You CAN Make Missouri Litter Free” Trash-Can Decorating Contest for the Missouri Department of Conservation. The deadline for entries is March 1st. Rules and entry forms are available online at nomoretrash.org or at 573-522-4115 extension 3362.

• The Springfield’s 30th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration will be held March 13th. Entries are now being accepted with prize categories of best Irish family, best individual costume, best Irish pet, best float, best musical entry, best youth entry and more. Information at 831-6200.

• The Springfield Regional Arts Council will accept entries for the Springfield Sister Cities Association’s annual Cherry Blossom Kite Festival now thru March 5th from kids grades K thru 5. The festival will be held on March 27th and prizes will be awarded for Most Artistic, Most Japanese and Most Humorous designs. Information at 862-2787.

• The University of Missouri Extension will host 4 Volunteer Income Tax Assistant sites in Stone and Taney Counties thru April 25th. Information at 417-546-4431.