ArtsView Children’s Theatre is holding auditions on September 11 and 12, 2010. Auditions are open to ages 8-88 and are by appointment only.
Up to 30 roles are available: Oliver (looks 9 years old) boy soprano, Nancy (25-45) Alto, Fagin (50-70) baritone, Artful Dodger (12-18) tenor, Bill Sykes (the villain; 30-50), and approximately 12 other roles are available for adult men and women of various ages. In addition, several sopranos and tenors, ages 8-16, will be cast as workhouse children and Fagin’s gang.
Auditionees need to prepare 16-24 bars of music to sing and may bring a CD (no vocal tracks), sheet music for the accompanist, or may sing acappella, although it is discouraged. Clothes should be easy to move in with sneakers or dance shoes. Monologues are not required; auditionees read from the script (Semi-Cold Read). Call 903-236-7535 to schedule an appointment. The musical will be presented on November 18, 19, 20, and 21, 2010 with tickets going on sale November 8, 2010. For more information, visit www.artsviewchildrenstheatre.com.

Longview brothers Damon and E’Tian (“Paco”) Parker created Nomad Productions in 2006.  They started the outfit in Houston, where they are now based, but both are Longview natives and proud alumni of Longview High School (classes of 1993 and 1996, respectively.)  These creative siblings have brought a cultural blessing to their hometown by coming here with their Christian production The Last Few Minutes.  In September they and Acting Bad Productions will release another gospel play, Only God Can Judge Me, written by playwright Curtis Von, who will also be on hand for its release.
The play’s setting is actually Heaven, where a young man faces trial after a close call with death.  Prosecution witnesses point out his earthly involvement with dishonesty, deceit and conspiracy.  He also has powerful, angelic representation.  Still, the central subject is that God only can pass spiritual judgment.
Their greatest reward is helping to share the message of Our Lord’s offered gifts of love and eternal salvation.  This is a non-denominational production that will appeal to and inspire all who attend.
Moreover, Nomad Productions’ mission is to give back to the community that supports its work, inspire patrons to share the message of Christian salvation, and to expose, enlighten and enhance public awareness of culture by presenting it via art, theater and various media.
The play is appropriate and nurturing to all ages, and spreads the news of God’s love for all of us regardless of one’s spiritual state.  The overriding theme is that only the Almighty is worthy to pass judgment.
The Parker brothers seek to proclaim to the world that the Lord is indeed all-powerful, to influence audiences for the better through powerful themes, and to proclaim the Truth, while making all this fun and entertaining.
For additional information on how to take part in this theatrical blessing, please call (903) 758-1905 or (832) 649-6377.

The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host a women’s self defense clinic from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 24 at the Glass Recreation Center, located at 501 W. 32^nd St.

This clinic, for women 14 and older, will teach participants tips and techniques to help defend themselves in dangerous situations. Instructor Alex Jones, who holds a second degree black belt in Go’ Ju-Ryu Karate will teach students how to think on their feet, avoid dangerous situations and the proper responses to danger.

Cost for the clinic is $25 per person. For more information or to register, please call the Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271.

The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the Christmas in July Arts and Crafts Fair this weekend at the Rose Garden Center.  The Fair is set to feature 53 vendors offering unique, fun, artsy and just plain cute items for sale.

The free event will be held indoors, in the air conditioned comfort of the Rose Garden Center at 420 Rose Park Drive.  Hours are:

• Saturday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will be selling raffle tickets to help support the many programs they offer Tyler residents; purchase a ticket for $5 for a chance to win great prizes. During the event, the Rose Garden also will be open and is free to visit.  The Garden features the largest public collection of roses in the United States with 32,000 bushes and 600 cultivars.

For questions, please call (903) 531-1370 or (903) 531-1212.

Registration will continue through July 12 for the children’s music camp, “The Music Machine at KC.” Kilgore College Music Department, is hosting the camp set for 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 6.

The camp will conclude at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, with a final children’s performance in Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus.  The performance is free and open to the public.

Cost of the camp is $75 per child. The registration fee includes all camp materials, supplies and daily lunch. To register by mail, visit www.kilgore.edu/summercamps2010.asp, download the registration form and mail the completed form and a check or money order to the address shown.

Walk-in registration will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 5-9, on the KC campus (in TV building, Room 113). Jeanne Johnson, KC’s chair of music and dance, will serve as director of the camp.

“I was approached by the Kilgore Ministerial Alliance in March of this year and asked to host an inter-denominational music day camp for young children,” Johnson said. “Our sponsors want to target children who have completed kindergarten through the grade five and to give them a chance to gain some musical experience.”

The camp will offer classes on hymn study and traditional Christmas carols while also preparing a sacred children’s musical, “Arkeology.”

“Arkeology,” by Brentwood and Bensen, will be performed in Van Cliburn Auditorium as the camp’s final activity.

“Arkeology is the story of Noah and the ark, and in many ways, it’s similar to ‘Two by Two,’ the musical that the Texas Shakespeare Festival is presenting this summer,” Johnson said.  “But our version will feature children in every role.”

Kimberly Earnhardt Lee of Tyler will direct the musical.

Lee taught music at Sabine Independent School District. Also, she  directed the children’s choir at First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore.  In addition to Johnson and Lee, James Vermillion, music minister of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, will teach the hymn study and Christmas carol classes.

For more information about The Music Machine at KC, call Rene Golden, administrative assistant, at (903) 983-8146 or e-mail Johnson: Jeannej@kilgore.edu.

Shopping and buying from local businesses can give consumers more than just the prizes and gift certificates used as initiatives to entice area buyers.  It can benefit all of the Longview area.  I Shop Longview helps the city’s residents and merchants to profit.

Research indicates that spending just an additional 5% of our paychecks in Longview will circulate more than $225 million into the city’s economy.  The profits generated by this sum could create almost 2000 new jobs.

More About the I Shop Longview Campaign

Buying locally is both profitable and easy.

* Pick up an I Shop Longview card at any participating local business or at the Longview Partnership at 410 North Center St. or the Guest Services kiosk at Longview Mall.

* Always carry your card and have participating businesses punch, stamp or sign off the card whenever you spend $10 or more from August 14 though August 28 – great for back-to-school shopping.

* After ten punches write your name and contact information on the back of the card and drop it off in the I Shop Longview drawing box at any participating business.

* At this point you are eligible to win a prize or gift certificate redeemable at participating businesses.

Drawings for the prizes and gift certificates will take place at Longview Mall Center Court Saturday, August 21 at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesday, September 1 at 11:00 a.m.  Winners need not be present.

Such efforts as I Shop Longview are intended to support and promote Longview’s economy.

To learn participating businesses, locations of drawing boxes, and lists of prizes visit htttp://longviewusa.com/IShopLongview.  For any additional information call the Longview Economic Development Corporation at (903) 753-7878.

Bubbles and smiles go together like peanut butter and jelly. Kids of all ages and sizes love to make bubbles, watch them float away and most of all pop them. This Friday, June 25, at 1:30 and 3 p.m., international bubble artist, Linda Berman comes to Tyler Public Library, transforming children’s natural fascination with bubbles into a unique interactive learning experience during The Incredible Bubble Show.
The high energy, visual show includes a focus on math, reading, science, colors and shapes, critical thinking skills, thinking “outside the bubble” and lots of good, clean fun. Audiences learn how to view the world around them with “bubble eyes,” seeing ordinary objects in new ways.
The Incredible Bubble Show includes bubble basics, creating hand blown bubbles, big bubbles, tiny bubbles, multiple bubbles, bubbles in bubbles, bouncing bubbles, dancing bubbles, foggy bubbles, square bubbles, and even putting people inside bubbles.
Throughout June and July, Tyler Public Library continues to host exciting free events for adults and kids to beat the summer heat. Movies, story hours and lively family entertainers will fill the long, hot days of summer.  All activities are free and open to the public. All summer programs take place in Taylor Auditorium at the Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College in downtown Tyler. Summer Reading Club programs are made possible through the Friends of the Tyler Public Library, with additional support from Target Distribution Center-Tyler. For more info, call the Library at (903) 593-7323 or check out the Summer Reading Club page online at www.TylerLibrary.com.

When you come to Austin this summer, you’ll likely be looking for entertainment in cool, air-conditioned comfort right in the heart of downtown.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s exhibits and IMAX Theatre are impressive, but right now the museum features a rare behind-the-scenes peek at a home that is arguably the centerpiece of our great state’s history.

The exhibit, Texas Treasure: Inside Our Governor’s Mansion, is a never-before-seen glimpse into the home life of the legendary leaders who put Texas on the map.

The mansion has been home to 40 governors, their families and their pets – and hosted dignitaries from around the world. Our state’s executive residence is actually older than the capitol and has a few stories to tell.

Although right now the Texas Governor’s Mansion is closed for restoration following an arson fire, the exhibit features some of its splendid furniture, impressive artifacts and captivating photos from the many famed residents.

I loved seeing Ann Richards’ Harley-Davidson, telegrams from the Galveston hurricane of 1900 and video testimonials from children who are now grown, but once called the mansion home.

This temporary collection offers a rare and memorable glimpse into a most historic mansion. It is also a peaceful retreat from the summertime heat.

Branden Johnson, Chairman for the Multicultural Festival, recently inspected the site of this years’ Multicultural Festival in early preparation for a festival that is getting larger each year. The festival is in its 4^th year. According to Johnson, the one-day event is important because it brings people together for the betterment of the community.

“Festival fever has well and truly hit East Texas, and I can’t wait for the Multicultural Festival to start. Each year I look forward to enjoying the wide variety of food and entertainment,’ said Johnson. “It’s especially exciting this year because I was afforded the opportunity to oversee the planning.”

Furthermore, because of increased attendance at the festival Longview will see hundreds of people from other parts of the region will attend. Johnson excitedly said, “I can’t wait to join other East Texans in sampling the world without leaving the area.”

In addition, music fans can be look forward to a free concert that day. Many local talents are joining forces to present a variety of performances with a distinct multicultural zest.

Moreover, food lovers will have delectable choices of cuisine including Mexican, Cajun, Cantonese, and Italian plus a special selection of Americana festival foods.

For the first time, the Festival has added a car show. Car lovers everywhere are invited to participate.

There will be great door prizes for attendees.

Entry forms are available on-line at http://pip.longviewtexas.gov/multicultural-festival or at the front desk of Partners in Prevention at 140 E. Tyler St., Suite 400 or call Branden Johnson at 903-399-6615; email multiculturalfestival@live.com or Pat Terrell Ph: 903-237-1255

Isabel Scurry Chapman has long been an enthusiastic hiker, bicyclist, river rafter, bird watcher and beachcomber.  When a 1993 rollerblading accident left her temporarily bedridden she refused to be idle, and so took up painting.
Her favorite artistic subjects are birds, and she has amassed a sizable collection of representations of avian wildlife from the Galveston area.
She uses empty cigar boxes because these are what so many people use to hold their valuables.  Also, because of what she calls their “rib cage size,” they are of the perfect dimensions for her paintings.  They even come with attractive, engraved borders like Native American artwork.
After fully representing Galveston’s birds she added paintings of Caddo Lake’s ornithology.  She will also show her collection of bird sculptures made from dryer lint, wire, colored foil, buttons and dried flowers. Yet the exhibition is not hers alone.
Jim Blackburn is a Houston-based lawyer with the firm Blackburn-Carter, P.C., which is devoted to environmental law and planning and is presently litigating over the future of the Whooping Crane.  He is co-director of the Houston Wilderness, the Matagorda Bay Foundation and the Galveston Bay Foundation.  He has put his passion for the natural world and its wildlife in a collection of poems that will also be on display at the exhibit.
The venue will be the Michelson Museum of Art from July 6 to September 26, Tuesdays through Fridays from noon until 5:00 p.m., and weekends 1:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m.  The opening reception will be Thursday, July 8 from 4:30 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. For more information call (903) 935-9480.