The Englewood Area Orchid Society -- will have a Plant and Orchid Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Christ Lutheran Church at 701 N Indiana Ave.

The New England Club of Englewood meets Monday, Nov. 6, at noon at Lemon Bay Park, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood. Kathy Gibson from the Lemon Bay Environmental Center will be guest speaker. Bring a dish to share for the pot-luck luncheon. New members welcome. For further information, call Mary Foley at 474-5831.

Do arts, crafts, or sewing projects of your choosing, on your schedule, while making lasting friends and supporting local charitable organizations by just dropping in any Wednesday morning between 7:30 a.m. and noon at the UMW Creative Workshop in the Englewood United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 700 E. Dearborn St. The public is invited to make Afghans, quilts, wall hangings, pillows, Christmas decorations, children's and other novel items. Call the church office weekdays, 474-5588, or Charlotte Harris, 475-0602.

The Grove City Civic Association will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7, at the Lions Club, 4611 Placida Road. The speaker for the evening will be Charlotte County Commissioner Tom D'April. The public is invited. Refreshments will be served. For further information, contact Audrey Shinske at 698-0142.

The Rotonda West American Legion Auxiliary Unit 113 is holding its annual Fun Auction on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Numerous items and gift certificates have been donated by local businesses. There will also be a baked food sale. Soup, chili and hot dogs will be available. The auction, a major fundraiser for the Auxiliary's Scholarship fund, will be held at the Post, 3436 Indiana Road, Rotonda West.

The Rotonda West Woman's Club will have the monthly day meeting at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Rotonda American Legion, 3436 Indiana Road. Dee Hawkins, Charlotte County EMS public education coordinator, will be the guest speaker. She will speak about the Red Dot program. Lunch choices will be made and paid for upon arrival at the American Legion. The cost of lunch includes tax, tip and coffee or tea. No reservations are required. Doors open at the Legion at 11:30 a.m.

Adult Clown Classes will be offered by Englewood's Clowns Like Us, starting Nov. 16. The 10-session course will run from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bay Harbor Ford, 1908 S. McCall Road, State Road 776 in Englewood. The course will cover applying makeup, juggling, magic, costumes, balloon sculpturing and much more. The fee will be $85 and includes basic makeup kit, one bag of balloons and a pump, juggling scarves and balls. Sign-up before Nov. 1 and receive $5 off registration cost. For more information and registration forms, call Nuzzles at 941-468-6762.

Craft Show -- The Even Keels of the South Venice Yacht Club will hold a Craft Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, at the clubhouse, 4425 Yacht Club Road in South Venice. Crafter tables are still available. reservations must be finalized by Friday, Oct. 20. Call 493-8921 or 474-4130.

The Quad City Girls Fast Pitch Travel Ball program is having tryouts on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Englewood Sports Complex on field #2. The Quad City Bombers is open to all girls in the Englewood, North Port, Port Charlotte and Venice area 8 to 12 years of age. For more information, contact Jim Werdell at 941-232-6039, Frank Mars at 941-270-0444, or Shawn Carvey at 941-270-2066.

Rotonda Elks' annual Gaelic and Celtic Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10, at 303 Rotonda Blvd. East in Rotonda West 941-697-2710. Entertainment is from noon to 5 p.m. each day. The Saturday event stars: Marcille Wallis and Friends, fiddle champion Matt Miller, Boston's own Don Pigeon on guitar, Irish balladeer Brendan Nolan, Celtic Duo Juniper, guitar and concertina duo Irish Creme, Ring of Emerald Dancers. On Sunday: Scotland's own Elly Gilmore, acoustic guitarist "Goody" Haines, and a bagpiper in full dress. Also, games, re-enactments, merchandise and food vendors. The public is invited; free parking. Admission is $8 per day with proceeds benefiting Elks charities. Web site: marcillewallis.com/rotonda.htm.

Charlotte County Ostomy Support Group meets at 2 p.m. the second Thursday of every month from September to May, in the Royal Palm Retirement Centre, 2500 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. Support is offered for people anticipating an ostomy, those who have had an ostomy for many years, and for spouses, caregivers and parents of young people with an ostomy. For more information, call Roger Wilson, 941-743-7285.

Wheels of love -- Medicare recipients may be eligible to receive a power wheelchair, paid for by Medicare, if they suffer from arthritis, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, pain, gait instability, and other conditions that impair a beneficiary's ability to participate in completing activities of daily living. For more information for Medicare eligibility, call 1-866-631-3022.

Vendors are wanted for an Arts and Craft Bazaar held by the Rotonda Elkettes on Nov. 4. Call Carol Hartley, 697-6224, or Kathy Hilton, 475-8090.

The Even Keels of South Venice Yacht Club will sponsor a Craft Show Nov. 4 at the clubhouse, 4425 Yacht Club Road in South Venice. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafter tables are still available. For more information and reservations call 493-8931 or 474-4130.

Kid's Night Out, ages five to 11, 6-10 p.m. first and third Saturday of every month at the Warren Loranger Family YMCA, 701 Medical Blvd., across from the Englewood Community Hospital. Activities include dinner, gym games, crafts, pool table, pingpong, PS2 system, and movie with popcorn. Cost is $20 per child. Reserve a slot by calling (941) 475-1234.

Adult volunteers are needed at Englewood Community Hospital. The Volunteer Services Department is looking for a few dedicated, caring individuals who are willing to donate four hours a week -- morning, afternoon or evening -- Monday through Sunday to make a difference in the lives of others. Retired nurses provide free blood pressure screenings throughout the community; the Women's Resource Center needs volunteers; or people can help out the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center of the Englewood Family YMCA. In the hospital, people are needed to greet patients and visitors, manage sales in the gift shop, perform clerical functions or assist the staff in a variety of ways. For information on how to become a volunteer, contact the Gale West at 473-5048, or stop by the Volunteer Services office to pick up an application, 700 Medical Blvd.

H2U membership campaign, sponsored by Englewood Community Hospital, takes place through August. H2U, also known as Health Happiness You, has expanded its health and wellness organization to welcome all adults who aspire to manage their health and to live a healthy lifestyle. Members enjoy social activities, participate in exercise programs and receive the latest health information. They also enjoy special discounts in the Suncoast Café, the hospital's cafeteria and gift shop, as well as great discounts form the partnerships H2U has with national vendors. Your name will be entered into a drawing for $25 gift certificates to Publix. Adults living and visiting the Englewood/Cape Haze, North Port and Venice areas are invited to participate. For membership information and a free copy of the H2U monthly newsletter, contact Affiliate Director Gale West, 473-5048.

Rotonda VFW is looking for new members. The officers of Post 10476 extend an invitation to all military personnel who have served in the armed forces to join the post and their cause. For those who meet requirements, the post will pay dues for the first year. For more information, call quartermaster Joe Giunto at 697-1123.

H2U of Englewood Community Hospital has scheduled a movie with popcorn and beverage at 1 p.m. third Wednesday of each month in the Englewood Community Hospital Suncoast Auditorium, 700 Medical Blvd., Englewood. For reservations, call 473-3919 or 888-685-1598. For membership information, call Gale West at 473-5048.

Applications for entry in the Venice Art Center's sixth annual Fine Arts Show & Sale, held Feb. 24-25, 2007, at the Venice Community Center, are now being accepted. For information and an application, contact the Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice island. 485-7136.

Children and parents can celebrate birthdays at the Englewood Art Center. An experienced party planner and art instructor will organize a fun and creative party of groups ages 5 and up. Select a date and time, let the Art Center know the number of guests, choose a theme and two art projects. Parties are 2 1/2 hours long: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. or 3-5:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Sundays. Before the party, you set up and supply the decorations, refreshments and paper goods. Cost is $155 for a party of 10 or less, and $15 per additional child. Registration forms are available at the Englewood Art Center, 350 S. McCall Road. 474-5548.

Volunteer drivers are needed to help cancer patients through the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program. Training is provided to those who want to volunteer their time to ensure that all patients are getting the care they need. Requirements include a valid driver license and a vehicle that is in good working condition. For more information, call Mandy, 365-2858, Ext. 37.

Dollars For Mammograms Inc. has expanded its service area to include women who live within the boundaries of the following zip codes: Englewood/Grove City, 34223 and 34224; Cape Haze and Rotonda West, 33947; Placida, 33946; Boca Grande, 33921; Port Charlotte, 33953 and 33981; North Port, 34287; and Venice, 34293. Dollars For Mammograms Inc. is a no-cost mammogram program for area women who are year-round residents, uninsured or under-insured, and cannot afford the cost of a mammogram. Applications may be obtained from physicians offices, walk-in clinics, Sarasota County Health Department-Venice/North Port, Charlotte County Health Department-Englewood/Port Charlotte, DASH, CARE, Women's Resource Center, Helping Hands, Consult A Nurse, or by writing to Dollars For Mammograms Inc., P.O. Box 366, Englewood, FL 34295-0366. Dollars For Mammograms Inc. is a tax-deductible 501(C)(3) nonprofit public foundation. Tax deductible contributions are appreciated.

Call for Local Artists for "Art in the Palms" art show -- The Palm Island Estates Association, which every year sponsors a one-day art festival, is calling for area artists to show their work at "Art in the Palms" on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This art festival is nestled among the palm trees on a bridgeless barrier island. In addition to original art from artists, lots of music, food, beverages, beer, raffles, and silent auction make this a fun one-day outing. Special transportation to the island via the Palm Island Transit Ferry will be provided to the public. In addition, artists will be allowed to drive on the ferry at no charge to set up and break down. The booth fee is $40. Proceeds benefit the Palm Island Homeowners Association, which supports the Island Kids Scholarship Fund, native landscape restoration, beach clean-ups and the Island Turtle Patrol. For more information, contact Robin Dalzell at 698-0756, (941) 270-6060 (cell) or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County, 806 Pinebrook Road, Venice, offers a number of ongoing seminars. Call 485-9724 for information.

* Coping in a Challenging Relationship, Mondays, 10-11:30 a.m. Led by Sandra Zellick, PhD. Fee, $5.

* Life As a Dance, Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Freestyle movement to inspirational music for energy and relaxation. Fee: $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers.

* Marketing Yourself, 6-9 p.m. Best practices when applying for a job: the application, resume and interview. Career advisor, Leslie Yard, is also available for one-on-one sessions. Fee, $5.

* Divorce: The Financial Facts, 6:30-8 p.m. Led by Victoria Roberts, CDFA. Fee, $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers.

The Kiwanis Club meets Thursdays at the Englewood Elks Club on State Road 776, noon-1 p.m. The club's focus is on helping youth. Kiwanis is designed for individuals who desire personal involvement in the leadership and improvement of their community. The new organization is approaching the number of members needed to apply for a charter. For more information, call Nita Cole at 473-0535 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cub Scout Pack No. 36 is recruiting boys ages 6-10 to participate in activities that develop skills and character with good values, teamwork, and citizenship. Sponsored by Englewood United Methodist Church, the pack meets on Tuesdays in Room 400 of Fellowship Hall, 700 E. Dearborn St. Parents of interested boys may call Wendi Nastasio, 223-3914.

Englewood United Methodist Church has started Brownie Troop No. 291 for girls ages 6-10 to develop skills and character with good values, teamwork and citizenship. Meetings are 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 301-302 on the second floor of the Education Building, EUMC, 700 E. Dearborn St. Parents of interested girls, call Michele Canino, 473-3708, or Dave Roush, 460-0085.