Submit calendar items and photos by Wednesday for Friday’s Weekend section. Please include your phone number. Click here to e-mail Features editor, fax 684-2865 or mail to Features, P.O. Box 1968, Muskogee 74402. For information, phone Features Editor Leilani Roberts Ott, 684-2908, Newsroom Administrator Glenda Broome, 684-2900, or Features Writer Travina Coleman, 684-2901.

ARK OF FAITH COFFEEHOUSE, 8 to 11 p.m. Fridays, 401 E. Broadway. Featuring various local talent. Refreshments are free. Bring one song, poem, or a three-minute testimony to share at audience-participation set. Information: 682-8411.
FREE TAX ASSISTANCE TUESDAYS, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Muskogee Public Library, 801 W. Okmulgee Ave. Information: Tim McNew, AARP Tax aide, 689-3882.
JOURNEY TO EASTER 2008, noon Wednesdays. A series of Lenten services at local churches with different speakers. Lunch will be served. Dates, speakers, churches: March 12, Father Kirk Woodliff of Grace Episcopal, at Bethany Presbyterian; March 19, Ann Brizendine of First Presbyterian, at First Baptist. Information: Brizendine, 687-5401.
BOOK SANDWICHED IN, noon March 12, Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library. Carma Cruce, retired educator, will review, “Delirium of the Brave,” by William C. Harris. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. by the Red Hat Society for $3.
CHECOTAH AREA SPRING ABSTINENCE TEA, 9 to 11 a.m. March 13, Freewill Baptist Church, 713 N. Broadway, Checotah. All eighth grade Checotah area girls are invited. Guest speaker will be Carol Sallee of Bixby. Information: Arleta Dennis, director of Pregnancy Resource Center, 781-9486 or 683-2020.
MUSKOGEE AREA SPRING ABSTINENCE TEA, noon to 2 p.m. March 13, Muskogee Civic Center. All eighth grade Muskogee area girls, including home-schooled girls, are invited. Guest speaker will be Carol Sallee of Bixby. Information: Carol Edmonds, Pregnancy Resource Center Volunteer, 683-3249.
ANNUAL MUSKOGEE HOME, GARDEN, LANDSCAPE, BOAT, and RV SHOW, March 14 and 15, Muskogee Fairgrounds. Featuring the latest boats and RVs, lawn equipment and features, plants, home and interior design, demonstrations, classes, and more. Cruising Angels and other car club members will be available to answer questions and will have cars for viewing. Information regarding sponsorship or booth space: Jim or Charlotte Foltz, 681-2181, 685-1515 or 391-0720.
ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S 5K RUN, 9 a.m. March 15, Brookside, 43rd and Peoria streets, Tulsa. Cost: $20 with proceeds to benefit Special Olympics Oklahoma and Tulsa Running Club. Information: 481-1234 or www.sook.org.
DNA LIFEPRINT CHILD SAFETY EVENT, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15, Muskogee Chrysler Jeep Dodge, 1711 W. Shawnee Road. Endorsed by John Walsh. Featuring new biometrics fingerprinting and DNA identification kit. Free. Information: www.dna-lifeprint.com.
ANNUAL MISS/MR. AZALEA PAGEANT, March 15, Arrowhead Mall. Pageant is open to girls from birth to 18 years, and boys birth to 36 months. All that enter will receive a trophy and have an opportunity to model in fashion shows at the mall. Winners will receive crowns, banners, trophies and will be eligible to ride in the Azalea Parade. Contestants that enter by Saturday can be included in the official souvenir program book. Entry forms are available at the Customer Service desk and Crowning Moments in the mall, Nearly New and Fancy Too, Thornton’s Clothing or by calling Debbie Morgan at 463-2693.
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT WILD ONION DINNER, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15, Big Cussetah Indian Methodist Church, Morris. Cost: $8, adults; $3, children 10 years old and under; $8 for all carryouts. Directions: three miles west of Morris on New Morris highway to Prairie Bell Road, then three and one-half miles south on Prairie Bell Road. Information: Miley Hargis, 342-3637.
ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday March 15, United Keetoowah Cherokee Celebration Grounds, south of Tahlequah, off W. Willis Road. Featuring three egg hunts, water balloon toss, a free meal and gospel singing. Three age categories for the egg hunts: 1 - 3 years; 4 - 7 years; and 8 - 12 years. Prizes will be awarded in each category. Participants should bring lawn chairs. Information: 431-1818.
ANIMAL EASTER PARADE PHOTO CONTEST, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday Macrh 15, PAWS Facility, 4321 Hayes St. Easter/Spring photos will be made while you wait. Cost varies. PAWS will photograph pets, families, or families with pets. Reprint orders will be taken until May 1. Information: 686-7297.
GAME OF S-K-A-T-E, 12:30 p.m. registration, 1 p.m. game, Macrh 15, Love-Hatbox Complex, skateboard area. Entry: $4. Parents must be present for those under the age of 18 for registration. Different age groups available. Event canceled if raining. Proceeds will go into the skate park for maintenance. Information: Stacey Berry, 348-6355.
USA VS JAPAN MARTIAL ARTS, March 15, Expo Square Pavilion, Tulsa. Featuring WFC Legend Bas Rutten. Information or tickets: 627-7070 or apolloskarate.com.
SPRING SOIREE, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. March 15, VFW Post 475, 3811 W. Okmulgee Ave. Presented by Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference Women’s Missionary Society. Cost: $15, single; $25, couple donation. Infomation: 683-8022 or 869-8534.
PARENT’S NIGHT OUT, 6 to 10 p.m. March 21, third Fridays, Gore United Methodist Church, Fourth and Winn streets. Free. Infants to 10-year-olds welcome, features crafts, storytelling, games, movies and pizza. Information: 489-5313.
VICTORY IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP SERVICE, 7 p.m. March 21, United Keetowah Band Wellness Center, Tahlequah. Guest speaker will be Rick Manus Ministries from Tulsa. Performers will include Larry Harrison, Deputy Chief of the Seminole Nation with “Lively Stones”, Visionary, Sound of Freedom, Sonya Hartness, and Wayne and Lucille Harjo. Everyone may bring instruments, song, come and worship and experience fellowship with one another. Bring lawn chairs. Refreshments will be served. Information: Norman and Janie Carey, 506-4081.
FAMILY FISHING DAY, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22, Illinois River below Tenkiller Dam. Sponsor: Tulsa Fly Fishers. Play Day will include instruction for fly casting, tying, and fishing. Music, raffles, prizes, and prize-winning barbecue will be available. Proceeds will be donated to improve access, habitat, and water quality of the Illinois River. Admission is free. Bring your own chairs. Information: tulsaflyfishers.org or troutbuzzer.com.
TALIHINA MOUNTAIN GATE POKER RUN, 9 a.m. sign-in, 10 a.m. leave, March 22, Big Al’s Steakhouse, Second St., Talihina. Anyone may enter. Cost: $20, per driver and passengers. Payout will be $1000. Route will be approximately 120 miles through Winding Stair and Kiamichi Mountains. Arrival will be at The Rockin’ H Store, 54058 Oklahoma 271s. Contests, prizes, concessions, and a bonfire are planned. Information: Talihina Chamber of Commerce, 567-3434, or www.talihinacc.com.
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST, 8 to 10 a.m. March 22, fourth Saturdays, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Parish Life Center, 301 N. Virginia. Free. Enter through the west doors. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 962. Information: Alan Zbavitel, Grand Knight, 683-1662 or Joe Brandt, K of C activities chairman, 577-6141.
MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM, 7 p.m. March 25, Samuel L. Sadler Arts Academy Auditorium, 800 Altamont. Five of the six candidates: Hershel McBride, Ron Venters Sr., John Hammons, Glynda Oliver and Barney Taylor will be in attendance to field questions from the community.
PUBLIC BAKE DAY, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 29, Fort Gibson Historic Site, 907 N. Garrison, Oklahoma 80, Fort Gibson. Bring a favorite bread recipe and your oldest pan and bake in the brick oven. Information: 478-4088.
PLAYNIGHT SERIES 2008, 7:30 p.m. April 4, first and third Fridays, beginning April, Porter Roundup Club. Events include flag race, cloverleaf barrels, pole bending and surprise event. Negative Coggins required, original copy. Concessions. Information: 261-9690.
MYSTERY DINNER THEATER, 6 p.m. April 5 and 6, noon April 6, Eastside Community Church, 500 Peak Blvd. Help solve “The Case of the Missing Sunday School Teacher.” Cost: $11, adults; $7, children 10 and under. Full meal served throughout the drama at all performances, free spy kits, door prizes, and clues about each suspect. Reservations: 687-6790.
MUSKOGEE COUNTY GOSPEL SINGING CONVENTION, 1:30 p.m. April 6, first Sundays, except October; Greenleaf Apartments, 715 S. York St. Information: Zane and Linda Harding, 733-4259; or Charles and Fay Learned, 683-4230.
MISS CHILI PEPPER CONTEST, April 11, Muskogee Civic Center. Sponsor: Muskogee Exchange Club. First prize: $500. Information: Erik Fleak, 682-7789.
ANNUAL AZALEA FESTIVAL PARADE, 11 a.m. April 12, downtown Muskogee. Information: Joel Evertt, Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department, 684-6302, Ext. 28.
“STARS UNDER THE STARS 08,” 5 p.m. doors open, 7:30 bell, April 12, Tahlequah Rodeo Arena, Oklahoma 62, across from Cherokee Casino. Pro wrestling featuring Tammy Lynn Sytch AKA “Sunny.” Tickets go on sale March 10, at RPM Paintball in Tahlequah and online: www.nwaok.com. Cost: $10, ringside; $6, general admission bleachers; $4, students/seniors general admission bleachers; children 8 and under admitted free general admission bleachers.
ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE AMERICAN INDIAN, April 16, 17, 18 and 19, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Theme: “The Sun the Moon the Stars, Rhythms of Life.” Featured speakers include: N. Scott Momaday, Pulitzer Prize winning author/poet; John Herrington, retired commander of the U.S. Navy and former NASA astronaut; Jerry Elliott, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient; Kelly Anquoe, Kiowa traditionalist; Sara Barnett-Flores, documentary filmmaker; Dr. David Begay, Navajo cultural consultant; Mary Ann Bloom, coordinator of the Pawnee Earth Lodge Exhibit, Field Museum of Chicago; Robert Conley, award winning novelist and poet; Warren Hawk, Sioux traditionalist; William Iseminger, assistant site manager and public relations director, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site; Dr. Nancy Maryboy, founder and president of the Indigenous Education Institute; Justin D. (Doug) McDonald, Director of Indians into Psychology, University of North Dakota; Dr. Akira Yamamoto, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics at the University of Kansas. Information: NSU Center for Tribal Studies, 444-4350.
ANNUAL BARE BONES INTERNATIONAL FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, April 17 to 27, Muskogee. Information: www.barebonesfilmfestivals.org.
NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI POW WOW, 7 to 10 p.m. April 18, 3 p.m. to midnight April 19, University Center Ballroom, NSU campus, Tahlequah. Dance competition will be in men’s straight, traditional, grass and fancy dancing and women’s cloth, jingle, fancy shawl and buckskin dancing. Prizes will be $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third. Head man dancer will be Larry Scrapper, a Cherokee. Head lady dancer will be Sun Rose Iron Shell, who is Sicangu/Oglala Lakota. Head singer will be Vincent Townsend. Kelly Anquoe will be master of ceremonies. Arena director will be Warren hawk. The United Keetoowah Band will serve as host color guard. Head gourd dancer will be Christopher Chanate.
ANNUAL RED EARTH NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL, June 6, 7 and 8, Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City. Information: Connie Hart Yellowman, e-mail: cyellowman@redearth.org or (405) 427-5228.
SUMMER YOUTH LAKE ARTS PUPPET SHOW, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 10, Eufaula Community Center. Free. Information: www.eufaulaareaarts.org.
EUFAULA CARNIVAL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 17, Eufaula Community Center. Free. Part of Eufaula Memorial Library Summer Reading program. Information: www.eufaulaareaarts.org.
HOUSTON ROCKETS VS ORLANDO MAGIC NBA PRESEASON GAME, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, BOK Center, Tulsa. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at the Tulsa Convention Center Box Office, online at www.bokcenter.com, charge by phone at (877) 885-7222 or at participating tickets.com outlets. Tickets start at $27.00 with a limited number of VIP seats available.
MAHENWAHDOSE CREEK STORYTELLER, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25, Eufaula Indian Community Center. Information: www.eufaulaareaarts.org.