Community Calendar

The Springfield Vegan Chef Challenge will be held during the month of May with a celebration of new vegan dishes across town. Businesses across the area will showcase special vegan menu items, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs.

🗓 How It Works:
- Visit participating restaurants throughout Springfield
- Try their exclusive vegan offerings
- Share your experience—vote, comment, post photos of your favorite meals, and tag us at @veganchefchallengeMW

This event is open to everyone—not just vegans.

Salamanders are a seldom-seen, but fascinating part of Missouri’s outdoors world.

People can learn about these secretive amphibians at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) virtual program “Amphibians and Reptiles: Salamanders of Missouri" on May 29. This online program, which will be from 3-4 p.m., is being put on by the staff at MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center. People can register at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/207661

Salamanders are a group of amphibians typically characterized by their lizard-like appearance with slender bodies, blunt snouts, and short legs. In Missouri, salamanders can be commonly found in caves, moist leaf litter, and in and around streams. At the May 29 program, MDC Naturalist Jordi Raos will talk about some of the species of salamanders that can be found in Missouri.

Though this program is free, registration is required. Register by using the link above. Registrants must provide an e-mail, so a program link can be sent to them. This program will include a chat-based question-and-answer period when participants can interact with the presenters.

People can stay informed about upcoming programs at MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center by signing up for text alerts and e-mail bulletins. People who have questions about upcoming events or how to sign up for text alerts from the nature center can call 417-888-4237. MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located in southeast Springfield at 4601 S. Nature Center Way.

Staff at MDC facilities across the state are holding virtual and in-person programs. A listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.

Community Partnership of the Ozarks will host a four-week 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚: 𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒄 𝑩𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 beginning May 8 at The Fairbanks.

Learn how to:
✅ Master your money (instead of it running the show)
✅ Build habits that get you to your goals
✅ Create a simple, realistic budget
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮:
💸 $100 savings match opportunity
💡 $50 credit toward your utility bill (after completing all 4 weeks)
🏦 Open a zero-fee savings account
🍽️ Free community dinner starts at 5:15 PM |👶 Free childcare during class |

Spots are limited — registration is required.

Contact Kelly at kpaparella@cpozarks.org to sign up.

Most snakes in Missouri are completely harmless and all of them play an important role in our delicate ecosystems.

People wanting to learn more about these fascinating and often-misunderstood reptiles should sign up for Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) program “Snakes Alive!” on May 29 at MDC’s Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center in Joplin. This program will be from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Registration is required for this free program. People can register for this event at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/207997

At the May 29 program, MDC Naturalists Jessie Ballard and Kensi Tillman will talk about the many species of snakes that can be found here in Missouri and why they are so important to the environments they live in. People will also have the opportunity to take a look at live snakes up close.

MDC’s Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center is located at 201 Riviera Drive. People can stay informed about upcoming programs at the Shoal Creek Center and other MDC facilities by signing up for text alerts and e-mail bulletins. People who have questions about upcoming programs or what information on how to sign up for text alerts from the Shoal Creek Center can call 417-629-3434.

Staff at MDC facilities across the state are holding virtual and in-person programs. A listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.

A gathering of concerned relatives and friends facing the reality that problems of someone close to them are seriously affecting their lives and their ability to function.

Families Anonymous® members are dedicated to practicing a constructive approach in dealing with the family illness of addiction and behavioral issues.

Learn from shared experiences and wisdom, that you are not alone, and that there is a better way. FA is compatible with other 12 step programs and benefits the friends and families despite whether their loved with an addiction or behavioral problems is seeking recovery or not.

Families Anonymous is a group of new friends who won't be shocked by the nature of your problems and will stand by you as you learn how to gain sanity and serenity in your life , and people just like you, helping other people just like you.

Adults are invited to attend Women Writing an Ozarks Story at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, in the Library Center auditorium, 4653 S. Campbell Ave.

From May Kennedy McCord's columns and radio broadcasts to Marge Lyon's famous novels about rural Missouri, Ozarks women have long created a literature of the region and shared its stories. Ozarks Alive's Kaitlyn McConnell will delve into the impact of these influential women and their contributions to the Ozarks' collective narrative.

This program is a Preserving the Ozarks event. Explore the people, places and events that shaped the region — and how their stories live on today. Visit thelibrary.org/preserve or call 417-882-0714 for more information about this and other free programs.

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and Disney film that was produced by Howard Ashman and John Musker and written and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Disney's The Little Mermaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

RUNTIME: Approx. 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one-fifteen minute intermission
RATING: G, suitable for all audiences
LOCATION: The Landers Theatre

TICKET PRICES
ADULTS $17.00 - $40.00
SENIORS (62+)/ STUDENT /MILITARY $17.00 - $40.00
CHILDREN (ages 12 and under) $17.00 - $40.00
For special pricing for groups of 10+ visit our Group Sales page.
+$5 per ticket processing fee
+$3 per order Landers Theatre Historic Building Preservation fee
+$2 per order Springfield Little Theatre Endowment Fund

The Springfield Vegan Chef Challenge will be held during the month of May with a celebration of new vegan dishes across town. Businesses across the area will showcase special vegan menu items, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs.

🗓 How It Works:
- Visit participating restaurants throughout Springfield
- Try their exclusive vegan offerings
- Share your experience—vote, comment, post photos of your favorite meals, and tag us at @veganchefchallengeMW

This event is open to everyone—not just vegans.

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and Disney film that was produced by Howard Ashman and John Musker and written and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Disney's The Little Mermaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

RUNTIME: Approx. 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one-fifteen minute intermission
RATING: G, suitable for all audiences
LOCATION: The Landers Theatre

TICKET PRICES
ADULTS $17.00 - $40.00
SENIORS (62+)/ STUDENT /MILITARY $17.00 - $40.00
CHILDREN (ages 12 and under) $17.00 - $40.00
For special pricing for groups of 10+ visit our Group Sales page.
+$5 per ticket processing fee
+$3 per order Landers Theatre Historic Building Preservation fee
+$2 per order Springfield Little Theatre Endowment Fund

The Springfield Vegan Chef Challenge will be held during the month of May with a celebration of new vegan dishes across town. Businesses across the area will showcase special vegan menu items, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs.

🗓 How It Works:
- Visit participating restaurants throughout Springfield
- Try their exclusive vegan offerings
- Share your experience—vote, comment, post photos of your favorite meals, and tag us at @veganchefchallengeMW

This event is open to everyone—not just vegans.