Around Town
Items are listed under the day of the event only, running as space permits prior to the event. To submit items call 745-3511 or e-mail jcutsforth@capitalnewspapers.com. Include name and phone number. Wednesday, May 14 Badger Conference Art Show is on display in the Drury Gallery at the Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., Portage, until May 31. Gallery hours are from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free exhibition of artwork from students in Oregon, Baraboo, Edgewood, Monroe, Monona Grove, Mount Horeb, Portage, Reedsburg, Stoughton, Verona and Waunakee. For information, call the Portage Center for the Arts at 742-5655. Columbia County Democrats host Jack Norman, research director at the Institute for Wisconsin's Future, 7 p.m., Portage Public Library. Open to the public. Norman will answer the question asked by many Wisconsin residents: How can our state have both quality public services and fair affordable taxes? A question-and-answer period will follow Norman's presentation. Sponsored by Columbia County Democrats. For information, call 745-1530. Columbia County Economic Development Corp. annual meeting dinner, 6 p.m., Northern Edge Restaurant, N1430 Highway 113, Lodi. Hospitality hour at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:15 p.m. Brief meeting and election of new officers. Featured speaker is Molly Jahn, dean and director of the College of Agriculture and Life Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Cost $20 per person. For information, call 742-6161. Columbia County public health walk-in clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Columbia County Division of Health, 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Use door four. Free meningitis vaccine available. Bring child's immunization record. Free blood pressure screening, Wednesdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Suite 100, Portage. No appointments needed. Do not eat, smoke, drink caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes prior. Portage Pedalers, 6:30 p.m., Doug and Pat Cook residence, W7956 Neenah Road, Endeavor. Call 587-2229 for information. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to unload bikes. Helmets, please. Riders younger than 18 with parent. Trinity United Church of Christ book study on "Asphalt Jesus" by Eric Elnes, 6 p.m., 503 Prospect Ave., Portage. Public welcome. Writers at the Portage, 7:30 p.m., home of Bill LaFleur, Highway 16, west of Portage. Anyone interested in writing is welcome. Thursday, May 15 Farmers Market, 2 to 6 p.m., Chamber Plaza, downtown Portage. New location due to Cook Street road construction. Produce, flowers and more. Hillcrest Cemetery Association meeting, 7 p.m., cemetery, town of Lewiston. Museum at the Portage, 804 MacFarlane Road, Portage, 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Pardeeville Elementary School spring concert and art show, 1:30 p.m., Pardeeville Elementary School gym, 503 E. Chestnut St., Pardeeville. Pardeeville Bulldog Bands, directed by Dan Evans, free concert, 7 p.m., Pardeeville High School gymnasium. Concert will feature the sixth-grade band, middle school band, high school band and Pardeeville Bulldog Pep Band. Classical, rock and jazz pieces will be performed. Featured soloists include Julia Schneider on marimba and Kurt Collins on drums. Portage Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Portage. Blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of ID required at check-in. Walk-ins welcome. Call 742-3926 for appointments. Sustain Columbia, 6 p.m., Portage Public Library. Public participation encouraged. The group considers issues of environmental sustainability for area communities and county. Call Sue Bradley at 742-7644 for information. VFW Post 1707, social night with light food, 6 p.m. All military personnel welcome. Friday, May 16 Best Fest, St. Mary's festival, 4 to 11 p.m. Features barbecue dinners, free entertainment including Portage's own "Late 4 Dinner", DJ and karaoke under the tent. Jazz/swing dance in the gym from 7 to 9:30 p.m., with music provided by the Portage High School Jazz Ensemble. Dance admission $4 in advance or $5 at the door. Mini-raffle and large raffle. Carnival from 4 to 10 p.m. Public welcome. Edgewater Greenhouse Premiere Night, 6 to 8 p.m., Edgewater Greenhouse, County Highway CX, Portage. Horticultural fashion show introducing new plant varieties. Appetizers and finger foods will be served. Models are male staff members in white tux shirts, purple bow ties, cumberbunds, work shorts and boots. Fox Lake's Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee, through Sunday, Fox Lake. Free concert and live demonstrations by Wisconsin Antique Phonograph Society, 3 to 6 p.m., Mullins Drive-In. Parade at 12:05 p.m. Saturday, followed by Larry Bush "Big" Band, 1 p.m. Community Building. Jam Session, 10 p.m. Saturday, American Legion Club House. Memorial service, 11 a.m. Sunday, St. Mary's Cemetery, Breezy Point Road, followed by turkey dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Center. For information or tickets, call (920) 928-6094. Opening celebration of the 2008 tourism season in Columbia County, 11 a.m., Ferry wayside, Highway 113, Lodi. Ribbon cutting, ferry rides and refreshments. Columbia County Travel Planner and other information available. Rain or shine event. Unique Singles, 5 p.m., RJ's Place, County Highway CX, Portage. All single men and women older than age 55 welcome.
